State Board of Education Members

Ann Weisleder, Chair is a resident of Bangor. She and her husband are proud parents and grandparents. Ann earned a B.A. in English Literature from Lycoming College and a M.Ed. from the University of Maine. After a long and varied career as an educator in both Pennsylvania and Maine, Ann retired from MSAD 64. A career long advocate for quality public education and active citizenship, Ann also brought to the Board her experience as an appointed representative to various education practice and policy related statewide committees. She had also served as a local and state leader for the Maine Education Association for many years. As a lifelong learner, Ann is proud to be a student and Board member at Penobscot Valley Senior College. After joining the State Board of Education in 2005, Ann served actively on Board Committees, on Workgroups and Chaired the Certification and Higher Education Committee. Currently she serves as Chair of the State Board.

James Banks, Sr., Vice Chair is a resident of Portland. Mr. Banks is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine with a BA in Criminal Justice. He is retired from the Maine Department of Public Safety. Through the years, Jim has been involved in many local and state community activities such as the Portland School Board as a member for more than 17 years and its Chair for 3 years; Maine State School Board Association as a member for 12 years and President. Jim is a member of the Portland Kiwanis Club and is a Past Governor of the New England District of Kiwanis. He has received many awards for his public service and in 2005 he received the Robert B. Ganley Award for Distinguished Community Service with special emphasis on children. He continues to enhance his personal commitment to the education of children in the State of Maine.

James W. Carignan is a Harpswell resident. Mr. Carignan is retired from Bates College, which is located in Lewiston, Maine where he taught history and served as Dean of the College. His knowledge and background in higher education adds an important dimension to the Board.

Marilyn Temple Tardy is a resident of Palmyra. She has been involved in public education for many years. Marilyn has been a class room teacher and served as a school board member in MSAD #48 for 17 years. She continues to be an advocate for music, theater and sports programs that provide educational and enrichment opportunities for Maine Youth.

Mabel Desmond is a resident of Mapleton. She served as an educator in MSAD 1 for 21 years. Mabel also served as a University of Maine Presque Isle adjunct faculty member in education. She served four terms in the Maine State House of Representatives, from 1994 to 2002, where she focused on education issues.

Lynda Doyle is a resident of Durham. Dr. Doyle received a B.S. degree in Anthropology in 1984 and a M.S. degree in Counseling in 1992, both from the University of Southern Maine, and her Doctorate in Counselor Education from the University of Maine in 1999. She became a Certified Mediator through the University of Texas in 1986 and attended the intensive program in Family Therapy at the Philadelphia Children's Hospital in 1985. Dr. Doyle was also a counselor at the University of Southern Maine Counseling Center in 1985 and 1986. She is a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education programs for the Family Law Section of the Maine State Bar Association. Dr. Doyle has been in private practice as a psychotherapist in Yarmouth, Maine, since 1987, specializing in individual, couple and college age young adults. She also had a public radio show on WMTW - Thirteen Plus, targeting issues of teenagers and young adults. Dr. Doyle has two children - Amy and Chelsea both of whom reside in New York City.

Jeffrey Vermette is a resident of Windham. Mr. Vermette is a graduate of Sanford High School and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Husson University in Bangor, Maine. Jeff has spent most of his working career as an independent business man in the insurance industry. Jeff owned his own insurance agency until 2005 when he sold the business to Cross Insurance Company. He continues to work at Cross Insurance as a Commercial Account Executive. Jeff has been involved in education for many years serving four - three year terms on the Windham School Board. For six years he served as Chair and Vice Chair of the School Board. During Jeff's tenure, he also served for many years as the chairman of the Finance Committee and a school Board representative on the Windham high school building committee. Jeff's background in business and his experience with public education, he brings a unique perspective to the State Board of Education.

Nancy S. Perkins is a resident of Cornish. Nancy has spent much of her life in various roles in education. She retired from public education after thirty years, but has remained involved. Nancy believes strongly in public service. She is currently a Selectman in Cornish and is the Director of the Riverside Food Pantry.

Steven Pound is a resident of Greenville. Steve earned a Ph.D. in Educational Administration, Master of Science, Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science with certificates in International Trade Management, and Educational Fund Raising. In over 30 years in education, Steve has gathered experience that includes early childhood, K-12, technical college, adult education and university as well as fundraising. He has been recognized by colleagues for his distinguished service to education and since returning to Maine in 2002 has been very active in his community by serving on economic development and healthcare boards. Recent education positions are Superintendent of Schools in School Union #60 for Greenville, Maine and the surrounding area, as well as Director of Adult and Community Education for the Greenville School department. Presently Steve is employed by Cianbro Institute as Associate Director of Workforce Development. Steve joined Cianbro Corporation on September 18, 2006, and is working to provide career development for Cianbro team members through training and lifelong learning initiatives. His responsibilities include partnering with community colleges, technical schools, career centers, government, and businesses to deliver cost effective and efficient programming, to benefit each of Cianbro's team members and to meet the needs of Cianbro's current and future projects.

Honor Wilkinson is a Senior at Calias High School. She is one of two student members appointed to the Board by the Governor in April of 2008. Honor is a Student Council Representative and has served on many committees. She is a member of the Drama Club, Civil Rights Team, Math Team and United States Academic Decathlon Honors Team. Honor is a columnist for the local newspaper, and she served as Class President her Sophomore year at Calais High. She plays soccer, softball, basketball and has received many atheletic awards and honors. As a member of the Board, Honor plans to bring the voice of rural Maine to Augusta and bring understanding of the Board back to the people and students it serves.

Andrea Levinsky is a Junior at Deering High School in Portland. She was appointed to the Board by the Governor in June of 2009 as the First Congressional District's student representative. A high honors student, she has been class president for two years. She participates in the school band, chorus, drama club, mock trial team, student senate, tennis team, and key club. She has been a Relay for Life team captain for two years, sings with the Musica De Filia choir, and takes modern dance. She is also active in her temple community as a teacher's assistant and works at Breakwater Creative Arts Camp in Portland.

State Board of Education Information

State Board of Education Members