State Board of Education Members

James A. Banks, Sr., 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. Jim currently serves as Chair of the State Board of Education.

Steven M. Pound, PhD., Vice Chair 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. Steve currently serves as Vice Chair of the State Board of Education.

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.

Dr. Lynda A. 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.

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.

Dorothy "Dottie" P. Martin, Ph.D., is a resident of Fort Fairfield. Dottie earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in 1996 from the University of Mississippi. She has a Specialist of Education in Educational Administration, a Masters in Curriculum and Development and a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. With nearly 35 years in education, Dottie has gathered experience that includes elementary education, college professor, director of a regional service center and education administration. Dottie served as Executive Director of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics and as Career and Development Director at the Loring Job Corps Center before accepting her current position as Academic Dean of the Northern Maine Community College. Dottie currently serves as President of the Limestone Rotary Club.

Martha J. Harris resides in Winterport with her husband. She is the mother of two grown sons who were ably educated through the public school system in Maine. She has recently entered her sixteenth year as a Board member of RSU 22/SAD 22. She has a Bachelor of Science from Tufts University, MSW from Rutgers University, and a JD from Northeastern University. Martha has been in the general practice of law in Bangor since 1977. She brings the prospective of living in a small town and being involved in the local school board.

Jana Lapoint is a resident of Falmouth. Jana earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree with high honors from the University of Bridgeport. She is a former Business teacher and taught at the New Canaan High School. Jana previously owned Lapoint Industries in Auburn, Maine and she is currently a Consultant for Packgen and UF Strainrite of Auburn. Jana served as a Trustee on the Maine Community College Board for eleven years, with two years as Chair. She also was a Trustee at Dean College, Franklin, Massachusetts for six years. Jana currently serves on the Board of Habitat for Humanity, Chevrus High School and Portland High School of Ballet. She is a volunteer at Beacon Hospice, the Ronald MacDonald House, and the University of Southern Maine School of Music. Jana received a Distinguished Service Award from Dean College and a Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of Maine.

Angela M. Bechard is a Senior at Monmouth Academy. She was appointed to the Board by the Governor in April of 2010. Angela plays soccer, basketball, and softball for her school. She is a member of Monmouth Academy's Key Club and hopes to be a member of the National Honor Society next school year. As an honor student, Angela's favorite classes include Writing Lab, Biology, and Fine Arts. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, spend time with friends and family, and keep active. Angela plans to go to college to pursue a degree in Journalism.

Chelsey Whynot is a Junior at Cape Elizabeth High School. She was appointed to the Board by the Governor in May of 2011. Chelsey is involved in various activities such as Mock Trial, Student Council, Natural Helpers and The Siddhartha School Project. Chelsey's favorite subject in school is History. In her free time, Chelsey enjoys hiking, reading, spending time with friends and family, and going to the beach. Chelsey is very interested in Education and the laws surrounding it.

Updated on Monday, August 22, 2011

State Board of Education Information

State Board of Education Members