Write-in votes determine SAD 1 board seat
Melissa Vance
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Since no one took out nomination papers to fill the District 4 (Westfield/Presque Isle) seat on the SAD 1 board of directors, the position was filled last Tuesday through write-in votes.
Melissa Vance, of Westfield, was chosen and has agreed to fill the three-year term.
“Westfield needed the representation; I’ve lived here 23 years and I wanted to give back to my community,” said Vance. “I thought after 36 years in education in SAD 1 that I had something to offer.
“I think I have a good listening ear, unbiased judgment, and I believe strongly in the value of education for all students,” she said. “SAD 1 has something to offer all students, and 36 years in career and technical education has shown me that all students can become productive citizens.”
Vance was a business teacher at the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center, and also served as the technology department chair. In addition, for the last two years of her career, she was the PIRCTC director.
Vance retired from education in 2006. She works part-time as an administrative assistant at the Presque Isle Congregational Church.
Michele Green presently represents District 4; however, she opted not to run for re-election. Vance will officially take over the seat Jan. 1, 2013.
Though she did not actively seek the school board position, Vance said she’s willing to “answer the call.”
“There are people in the community who believe I have something to offer,” she said, “so I’m doing this for them, and the students.”
Others receiving write-in votes included Steve Vance, David Perry, Michele Green, Robert Glidden Jr., Aaron Boinske, Donna DeLong, Patrick Buckley, Thomas Powers Jr., James D. Park and Kenneth Stewart.
Also re-elected Nov. 6 to the SAD 1 board were Terry Sandusky (District 3), Scott Norton (District 7), Luther J. Bubar Jr. (District 10), Susan Cook (District 13), Susan Hirsch Goulet (District 14) and John R. Johnston (District 15). They all ran unopposed.