November 19, 2020
The Bangor School Department is pleased to announce the hiring of two new positions that will provide support and promote safety for students in the district. Dana Carver-Bialer, Title IX and Affirmative Action Coordinator and Ray Phinney, School Safety and Communications Director have recently joined the Bangor School Department.
“Education and student safety is at the forefront of everything that we do in the Bangor School Department. These positions were identified as being critical support positions for students in our schools as well as meeting needs to support the broader community. The Title IX and Affirmative Action Coordinator position will help plan, coordinate and evaluate procedures and policies as well as develop training for staff and students.” stated Kathy Harris-Smedberg, Ph.D., Interim Superintendent of the Bangor School Department.
Carver-Bialer brings a background of policy analysis, education, and community-building experiences to her new Title IX and Affirmative Action position at Bangor High School. Recently, Carver-Bialer worked with Health Equity Alliance in their mission to alleviate healthcare disparities among Maine’s most marginalized and vulnerable populations. “Tackling these issues in education are frequently the very topics that we are uncomfortable talking about. To ensure student success, every student needs to feel represented, heard and respected,” says Carver-Bialer. “The Bangor School Department’s leadership continues to make a commitment to equity and inclusion in its schools. Our differences are our strength, and preparing Bangor’s students to understand and celebrate diversity positions them to be tomorrow’s global leaders. I look forward to collaborating with people from a wide range of identities and lived experiences in this important work.”
“The Student Safety and Communications Director will work closely with administrators and community connections to create a centralized messaging center for the school department while sharing the amazing accomplishments of our students, teachers, and staff. When incidents happen in our schools we want to provide quick and up-to-date information to our families and community in a trusted location,” stated Dr. Harris-Smedberg.
Phinney brings nineteen years of higher education experience in student life and development as well as risk management planning for events and public settings from multiple institutions of higher education in the State of Maine. A former Dean of Students, Phinney oversees all social media platforms, websites, the Bangor App, and other forms of technology in communicating with students and families. “I look forward to sharing the successes of our students, teachers and administrators as well as providing clear communication that informs the community as well as maintains the safety of the Bangor students,” says Phinney. Phinney also coordinates Emergency Planning and Response with other Bangor School Department administrators.
“Both of our new hires bring experience and a proven track record of success in their respective fields, which will be invaluable in meeting the goals and objectives of the Bangor School Department,” stated Dr. Harris-Smedberg.
Dana Carver-Bialer’s office is located at Bangor High School and she can be reached at dcarverbialer@bangorschools.net
Ray Phinney’s office is located in City Hall and he can be reached at rphinney@bangorschools.net
