On June 10, Camden will vote for two candidates from a field of four candidates to serve on the School Administrative District 28 (Camden-Rockport K-8) and Five Town CSD (Camden Hills Regional High School) school boards. 

PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to school board candidates, who include Rafael (Rafi) Baeza, Rebecca Flanagan, A. Taylor Pohlman and Sarah E. Smith. Here, Rebecca Flanagan responds.

Please present a short biography of yourself.

After earning my bachelor’s degree at Wheaton College, a master’s degree in business at Lesley University and establishing a human resources career in Boston, my husband, Gene, and I moved to Maine almost 35 years ago.

After a few years in the Portland area, we decided to settle in Camden, where Gene grew up and there is a long history of Flanagans. In large part because of the schools and the community, this is where we chose to raise our four children.

I quickly became active locally, serving on Camden’s Budget Committee, volunteering at the YMCA, coaching athletics at the middle and high school, and most recently serving as a member of the school board for three terms. I have negotiated multiple contracts and held leadership roles as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Five Towns CSD.

Currently I am Chair of the CSD Finance Committee and Chair of SAD 28.  Please take a moment to read my letters in the recently mailed 2025 Annual Report.  I am a human resources professional and have been employed at the Farnsworth Art Museum for 14 years. I’m also an avid runner and can be spotted in the early morning, often with one of my dogs, an extremely loyal and well-loved Irish Setter. 

What do you hope to accomplish as a public K-12 school board member for your town?

As a community member who raised four children, all of whom matriculated in the local public schools and have since graduated, my perspective is one of understanding how the schools operate while not having any particular agenda. This helps maintain an objective view.

With the avalanche of changes that have been occurring in the last few months, it is essential that school boards maintain their integrity and stability. We are extremely fortunate to have a well-functioning board for both the SAD and CSD that cares deeply for our students. I look forward to serving another term, gradually stepping away from my current roles while supporting the next leaders.  

How do you view the role of public education in the U.S., in Maine, and in Camden and Rockport?

I’m a huge fan of public education. Is it everything to everyone? Of course not. However, I’m continually humbled by the effort that our educators pour into our children daily. We are extremely fortunate to have the depth and breadth of programming that we enjoy in this area.

While rankings offer some insight (and we consistently rank highly both within Maine and the rest of the country), they don’t tell the story of our students. As hokey as it may seem, our educators strive to instill core values of kindness, grit, responsibility, and self-control in our children.

Elementary students are able to log outdoor time and learn by splashing and playing in the woods.

Middle school students learn to lead and are able to explore connections through project based learning.

High school students have numerous opportunities to chart their paths, whether they seek the rigor of attending college, our own (free) community colleges, joining the military or finding work after graduation.

MCST offers opportunities for learning in various fields including culinary arts, carpentry, HVAC, automotive skills, and more. Students are able to graduate as EMTs and even as Maine Guides.

When I started on the board, there were empty seats at the school – now they are full. This is not your parents’ technical high school, that’s for sure!

Should pre-K programs be expanded?

Our pre-K program has been highly successful and much sought after. While my knee/jerk reaction is of course, when determining whether to expand it, we must take a long and careful look at our enrollment and what is most appropriate for our school and tax payers.

I don’t think it comes as a surprise that with the cost of housing in Camden and Rockport, many families with young children simply can’t afford to live here. Birth rates are declining and our area is no exception. Our current enrollment at CRES is 355. Given the trends, we expect to be at 290 within the next few years. 

Is the free meal program worthwhile and is there enough local fresh food from area farms being integrated into the meal program?

Food for children is absolutely worthwhile. One of the most filling (excuse the pun) experiences I had as a board member was during COVID when we continued to employ kitchen staff to prepare lunches for students. Bus staff and Ed techs delivered meals to students in the community who benefited from the care and nourishment that the schools offered. Students are also able to avail themselves of locally grown food in their lunches. 

Does the curriculum adequately teach all children and teens about their role in a participatory democracy?

We have a strong social studies curriculum throughout the system. Students learn personal finance and economics, civics, government, geography, and history in line with Maine Learning Results.  

Should the subject of personal finance be addressed in all grades?

Personal finance is required at the high school for graduation. 

Do the Camden-Rockport schools need to strengthen the science and technology curriculum. If so, how so?

In the lower grades, science has been an area where test scores have been lower than what we would like to see. Our educators are working on the curriculum and are seeing improvements.   While I understand the importance of test scores, I learned a long time ago that it provides a narrow focus for learning and is just one piece of how to evaluate a curriculum for learning proficiency.  

What is your opinion of book-banning in public school libraries? Are there any books you want pulled off the school library/classroom shelves?

Libraries are for all. When considering adding books to the library or within curriculum, the board weighs each publication’s merits and makes a determination. Our curriculum regularly accepts age/grade appropriate books that are taught in classes where students are ready for the content and able to properly discuss it. Additionally, parents have the opportunity for their children to opt out if they feel something is not appropriate.

Maine’s position on transgender athletes participating in girls sports has resulted in a federal suit against the Maine Dept. of Education. How should the state respond?

The state has responded with regard to transgender athletes participating in sports. 

Should the schools adopt a phone-free policy?

We have been in discussion about phones in the classroom. They are currently not allowed at the elementary and middle schools. After ongoing conversations at the CSD level with administration, educators, parents, and students, the board made the decision to not allow phones during the school day, effective this coming academic year.   

Camden and Rockport are low-receiver towns, in the eyes of the state, resulting in minimal state funding aid. How will you, as a board member, help reduce the fiscal load on the taxpayer to fund education and maintain the facilities?

Camden and Rockport don’t receive much state funding. Board members are required to make difficult decisions as we evaluate the future of our schools in conjunction with increasing taxes, higher prices on goods and declining enrollment. The ability to be objective when determining needs vs wants is essential as we take the burden to tax payers into consideration. 

What books are you reading these days, and which do you recommend others read?

Among other books, I have recently read The Warmth of Other Suns, Demon Copperhead, James, The Frozen River, and am currently plowing my way through All the King’s Men. The first four are great – I’m not as sure about the last one! 

Anything else you’d like to address? Free space!

We are fortunate to live in a community where we are deeply committed to our children, our educators, and our schools. Both the SAD and CSD boards have been high functioning during my three terms and it is my hope that this continues.

There are occasions when we have not all agreed – but after thoughtful discussion, we have been able to reach a consensus. I have learned to listen fully and evaluate more carefully before casting my vote.

I look forward to this thoughtfulness continuing as we head into an uncertain future.