Committees: Curriculum, Finance (Chair), Policy

Email: bgerth@rsu21.net

Britney grew up in Maine, graduating from Old Orchard Beach High School and obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maine at Orono. Britney moved for several years to Massachusetts where she completed her Master of Science in Insurance Management while working for a global property and casualty insurance company where she is still employed today. 

Britney and her husband moved with their son, Finn back to Arundel 2 years ago and built a home in the community. They’ve recently welcomed a daughter, Fiona to their family. 

Britney ran for the school board in order to serve the community and learn what it took to run a school district. Her children are her personal “why” for contributing to the betterment of the district and she strives to be a voice for all children of the district and all stakeholders. 

Committees: Communications, Curriculum, Human Resources, Wellness

Email: kshapiro@rsu21.net

Kirstin has worked in many corporate settings from television to health care as an executive coordinator and brings a breadth of HR administration experience. Additionally, she has worked as a performance artist and fitness instructor.

After graduating from Kennebunk High School, she attended Indiana University Jacobs School of Music on a full performance scholarship and in 2018 completed her Master in Music from her alma mater as well.

In 2011, she became a certified Yoga instructor and has been teaching professionally for over a decade.

Kirstin loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, snowboarding, and being a life-long learner.

Committees: Advisory, Communications, Curriculum, Facilities 

Email: kwatson@rsu21.net

Kirstan grew up in Arundel and her desire to serve the RSU 21 Community was born from the transformative experiences and exceptional education she received while attending ML Day, Sea Road School, MSK and KHS.

Motivated by her passion for community-centered service, she opened a small business which she and her husband have run together for 25 years. In building and managing a company she has earned invaluable skills like time management, ingenuity, diplomacy, problem solving, patience, hard work, sacrifice and the value of building relationships, good communication, meaningful collaboration and active listening.

Kirstan was a competitive gymnast, runner and triathlete. She loves writing, reading, researching and learning, volunteering, and spending time outdoors gardening, beekeeping, or lingering over coffee in the morning sun.

Committees: Communications, Human Resources (Chair), Negotiations Team

Email: mstratford@rsu21.net

Matt grew up in a military family, living in several different locations across the United States and overseas, before eventually settling down in the Washington, D.C. area.  It was in DC that Matt met his wife, who grew up in Arundel, and in 2020 they moved to Kennebunk, feeling fortunate to raise their 2 children in this 3-town community.

Matt holds a B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology with a minor in computer science from James Madison University. His professional background includes starting and running a technology consulting company for the past 15 years.  This experience has provided Matt exposure to a myriad of disciplines - including finance, operations, recruiting and retention strategies, human resources, contract negotiation, communication, and technology.

As a school board member, Matt is dedicated to working to ensure the best possible educational experience for all RSU 21 students and supporting an environment where teachers and other staff can thrive and excel in their crucial roles.  He is committed to listening carefully to different viewpoints and working to solve complex problems with stakeholders who have varying perspectives and backgrounds in a manner that promotes transparency, trust, and mutual respect.  

Committee: Policy (Chair)

Email: csayre@rsu21.net

Claudia and her husband have lived in Kennebunk since 2014.

She received her B.A. in American History from Yale University and a J.D. from New York University Law School, then practiced law in Manhattan for nine years. After taking time off to raise their two young daughters, she enjoyed a second career as a teacher in Newark’s public school system. She’s familiar with the district’s schools, having spent five years as an RSU 21 substitute teacher. 

Claudia has relished putting her legal and teaching background to good use while serving on the Policy, Communications, and Curriculum Committees.

She’s presently spending weekday mornings looking after their young grandson, looking forward to the day when he can enroll in the district.

In her spare time, she enjoys gardening until dark, hiking, researching local history, practicing Tai Chi, and crushing Spelling Bee.

Committees: Communications (Chair), Curriculum, Policy, Wellness

Email: lbares@rsu21.net

Leah resides in Kennebunk with her two children and husband. Leah holds her Juris Doctorate from UMass Law, but now practices art instead of law and is the owner and artist of Violette Tide Studios. 

Besides serving our district, Leah is passionate about pediatric cancer advocacy in memory of her daughter, Laurel Pearl. She currently serves as Secretary of Rett’s Roost, a nonprofit that assists bereaved families and survivors of pediatric cancer. Leah enjoys living by the sea and is often fishing, clamming, and beachcombing with her family. 

Leah served as Chair of the Curriculum committee for the 2023-2024 school year.

Committees: Finance, Policy, Negotiations Team

Email: gspofford@rsu21.net

Although a part-time summer resident of Maine since she was six, Gayle made the permanent move from Massachusetts to Maine in 1971 where she finished her B.S. in Accounting at USM.  

A constant attendee of MSAD 71 school board meetings, Gayle was elected to the last MSAD 71 Board where she served on the consolidation team, and was later elected to a 1-year term for the new district, RSU 21. Gayle coached and was the director of Odyssey of the Mind while her children were in school. Having been a substitute at MLD for 4 years, and having served on the Finance Committee since first elected to MSAD 71. 

Gayle is passionately invested in the success of the young people in our three communities. Gayle is married to David, a native of Kennebunk, and have four adult children and three grandkids. Gayle has also been been a surfer, skate boarder, skier, and a racquetball player.

Committees: Facilities (Chair), Negotiations Team

Email: lstoeffler@rsu21.net

Lesley has more than 30 years of experience in building facilities management and real estate. She is also involved in various community activities, such as serving on the Economic Development Committee for the town of Kennebunk and being a member of the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors for York County, where she also serves on the development and site committees.

Lesley's role as the Committee chair for the RSU 21 Building and Facilities Committee and her involvement in the Financial Committee indicate her commitment to overseeing the development and management of school buildings, facilities, and programs.

Her active participation in the Strategic Planning Committee demonstrates her dedication to shaping both short and long-term strategies and budgets for the district.

Committees: Advisory, Facilities, Human Resources, Curriculum

Email: aspadone@rsu21.net 

Abby is the Clinical Director of a Maine based non-profit that provides services and housing to adults living in the community with severe and persistent mental illness. She holds her master’s degree in clinical social work from Smith College and has been an administrator for over 10 years.

Abby moved to Kennebunk with her husband in 2020 after having their first child so that they could be closer to family. They now have two children and have fully immersed themselves in the community.

Abby is driven to serve RSU 21 not only for her two children, but because she believes public schools are the bedrock of a strong community.

She looks forward to serving this district and her community during her term. 

Committees: Advisory, Finance, Policy, Wellness

Email: rkennedysmith@rsu21.net

Rachel is the Head of Scientific Communications at a leading biotech company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and holds a PhD in Biomedical Science.

Passionate about science and problem-solving, she values impactful work and prioritizes people.

Rachel is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt with extensive experience in change management and overseeing large budgets. She was an early adopter of generative AI and has created several custom GPTs to reduce the burden of repetitive tasks on her team. 

Rachel completed a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience at Columbia University, where she also taught as a Frontiers of Science fellow, developing and delivering an innovative science curriculum for first-year students.

Additionally, she taught Biology and "Writing and Thinking" at Bard High School Early College in Manhattan. 

She earned a BA in English, a BS in Biochemistry, and a PhD in Biomedical Science from the University of Maine. Rachel also attended Bowdoin College. 

Committees: Curriculum, Facilities, Finance

Email: mmichaud@rsu21.net

Megan was elected to the board in 2021, having previously served on ad hoc board committees for elementary enrollment, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and hiring of the superintendent.

Megan primarily grew up in Kennebunkport and after attending MSK, KCS, and graduating from KHS, Megan received a B.A. from Colby College where she studied anthropology and math. Megan spent more than a decade working on federal tax and budget policy in Washington, D.C.

After 9 years working in the House of Representatives, she became the policy and legislative director for Voices for Progress, which unites entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business leaders in advocacy on issues related to climate change, a strong democracy, and economic justice. She is currently Vice President of Policy and Programs at the Maine Center for Economic Policy, where she leads strategic outreach and partnerships and oversees the legislative and policy teams.

Megan moved home to Maine in 2015 with her family and now resides in Kennebunkport with her husband Dimitri and three daughters who attend three of RSU21's six schools.

Committees: Advisory, Finance, Human Resources, Negotiations Team

Email: dfranz@rsu21.net

Diane Franz first joined the RSU21 School Board as a Kennebunkport Interim Director for 2023-2024. She
is currently serving as a Kennebunkport Interim Director for 2024-2025.

She has worked in school and economic development; in local, state and national politics; with community volunteer action groups; and in community investment and community impact with a major United Way for 18 years.

Diane graduated from Merrimack College with a degree in Sociology and moved to Kennebunkport with her husband in 2014.

Diane sketches, attends to dozens of house plants and is currently working on a children’s book and re-establishing her voiceover profession.

Maddox Ralls is a KHS senior. He plays football, runs sprint events for indoor track, and plays outfield for the baseball team.

He's held a number of jobs, including assistant coach for an 8 & under baseball team. He also enjoys participating in the KHS Peer Helpers Club.

He's excited to be able to express his thoughts in a place that it could actually make a difference and give an exclusive perspective on everything to do with the student body. 

Molly LaChance is a KHS junior. She's a member of the debate club, one of the leading attorneys in mock trial, as well as a member of the art club, chess club, and game club.

She works 3 days a week, serving the public. She's also a majorette, who has won multiple state awards and enjoys participating in all the community town parades.

She's looking forward to having a say in what happens at our schools and giving an outlook from a student's perspective.