I’m writing in enthusiastic support of Gabrielle Bérubé Pierce for the Augusta Board of Education in the June special election.

I met Gabi while working together at Disability Rights Maine, when she was the attorney-advocate at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. She immediately impressed me with her clear-headed problem-solving and ability to find common ground in tough situations. Gabi can relate to people regardless of whether she agrees with them on every issue. She keeps her core responsibilities in focus while collaborating on solutions that work for everyone. I saw firsthand how she balanced what was best for our clients with the needs of the larger system, and I know she’ll do the same for students and families in Augusta.

In the years since we worked together professionally, I’ve seen Gabi take care of her kids, family, friends and community better than anyone I know. She cares deeply about what is right and uses her brand of pragmatism to make change happen. I know that with her vision for better schools driving the mission, students, families, teachers and the whole community will thrive.

Ariel Linet
Portland