Tyson Starling
THREE-YEAR TERM, BAR HARBOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TYSON STARLING
TYSON’S BIO
Tyson Starling serves on the School Board, the Hancock County Technical Center Board, and the Building Committee. He lives in Town Hill with his wife and daughter and runs MDI Heat Pumps, a local business focused on the installation, maintenance, and service of heat pump systems. Tyson holds a B.A. from Crandall University and has a strong connection to the schools as a parent and active community member. He believes that solid education is essential for a strong community—and that schools should prepare students to think critically and adapt to a changing world. In his free time, Tyson likes learning new things and being outdoors, whether it's sailing, biking, hiking and swimming.
THE QUESTIONS
What inspired you to run for the school committee?
I was initially inspired to run out of frustration—when I went to vote and saw empty seats with no candidates, it really struck me. I looked into which committees had openings and found that the school committee aligned best with my interests. I’ve always believed that education is fundamental to a thriving community and a strong democracy, so it felt like the right place to contribute.
Now that I’m on the board, I’m running for re-election because I want to help see through some of the important projects we've started. I especially enjoy serving on the board for the Hancock County Technical Center (HCTC) and being part of the new school building committee. I’m excited about the opportunity to help our school transition to a more sustainable footprint, with lower long-term operating costs—something I believe will benefit both students and taxpayers.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the school community right now?
One of the biggest challenges is plateauing enrollment—we have fewer students in our schools than we did decades ago. And after COVID, we still have a lot of work to do to keep students engaged and ensure they’re developing the skills they need to be productive members of society and active citizens in our town. Many students missed out on critical early social experiences, and we’re only beginning to understand the long-term impacts of that. We need to be thoughtful in how we adapt to these changes while staying committed to high-quality learning in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
How will you balance the short-term needs with long-range planning for students in Bar Harbor?
As a school committee member, I see one of my core responsibilities as advocating for our students, faculty, and staff—especially in the face of rising costs. Nobody wants higher taxes, so it’s critical that we use our resources as effectively as possible. Maintaining a top-rated school system takes continuous effort. I believe it's more effective to build on our strengths and make consistent improvements rather than reach a peak and then scramble to catch up. By regularly evaluating our programs, cutting what isn’t working, and fine-tuning what is, we can meet both immediate needs and long-term goals.
What are your thoughts about the potential consolidation of the schools on Mount Desert Island?
Reorganization is a touchy subject, but I believe we as a board need to do a better job of communicating why it can benefit everyone. It's a complex issue, but if implemented properly, it has the potential to serve our entire community well.
I see reorganization as a logical step in meeting the changing needs of our schools and towns. While the current proposal does present real challenges—such as longer commutes, changing the feel of the community, and concerns from communities that feel unheard—I believe the overall intent is sound. These conversations have been happening long before I joined the school system, and the idea of pooling resources to improve outcomes makes sense. When done right, it can help us operate more efficiently and deliver stronger support to students and staff.
I support the proposal as a working draft—not a final plan. It will need to evolve as we listen to feedback and address concerns. The current AOS structure is cumbersome for administration and makes it difficult to allocate resources where they’re most needed. Reorganization gives us a real opportunity to fix that, but only if we move forward thoughtfully and remain open to input every step of the way.
What is your favorite aspect of this school community? Do you feel as if it’s thriving?
What I love most about this school community is the deep dedication of our staff, faculty, and administrators. Everyone I’ve spoken with genuinely wants what’s best for our students and our town. Seeing the hard work that goes into keeping things running smoothly has been eye-opening. I do occasionally hear concerns that community members feel disconnected or unheard, but from what I’ve seen, the school system is listening and genuinely trying to include all voices. We’re a small community with some of the best public education in the state—and that kind of success doesn’t happen by accident.