Laura Jane Sturgis, 17 Intervale Road is running for MSAD 15 Board of Directors. There are two candidates running for three seats, so she decided to jump in.
From Laura Jane:
I am 79 years young, turning 80 in the summer. I am widowed. I have two adult children, Melissa Sturgis Elie who recently purchased my old home and Matthew Sturgis who lives in Gray. I have four grandchildren, the youngest one is currently a sophomore at Gray-New Gloucester High School.
I have two Bachelor degrees, one in education and one in business. I also have a Masters Ed, which I earned while teaching English at Edward Little High School.
My professional experience ranges from Comptroller for Windham Millworks, working in my late husband’s business enterprises ranging from selling pools, wood stoves, real estate and running a pretty successful restaurant in New Auburn which is now Rolly’s Diner. In the early sixties I taught second grade in Bangor. When my children were young I taught math and reading at Memorial School here in New Gloucester. I also taught 7th grade music in Gray and directed the Gray-New Gloucester High School Chorus. In 1991 I started my favorite teaching assignment, Freshman English at Walton School and then at Edward Little High School in Auburn. I also taught Syracuse University Project Advance to seniors. I retired from teaching full time in 2007 but still substituted for a few more years after that, but only at E.L.
I have served three years as a Selectman on the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen, which I enjoyed a lot. However, this past year I completed a term on the Board of Education for SAD15, which has been a most heart-warming experience.
I am running for a full term on the School Board because I feel that I still have a great deal to contribute to SAD 15. I have very impressed with the direction the District is headed and want to be a part of our continued progress. I have been serving on the Policy Committee.
I also serve on the Curriculum Committee which has been very interesting for a retired teacher.
One of our biggest issues is balancing the needs and goals of the system with the desire to keep the tax rate reasonable for our communities. Having served on the Board of Selectmen helps to form my viewpoint of maintaining a balance for the taxpayers of our district. I think that my knowledge of accounting is helpful in this area.
I am running as a write-in so if a voter wishes to cast a vote for me, the will have to enter my name on the line as Sturgis, Laura Jane and fill in the bubble beside it indicating your choice. Thank you.
