Robert Susi
Director of the Maine School Safety Center
Robert is a retired 33 year municipal police officer, having served 27 years as a School Resource Officer. Robert has been involved in and helped create safety plans for several school districts and continues to strive to bring safety and security to every school in Maine.
Jeffrey Upton
Assistant Director of the Maine School Safety Center
Jeffrey worked as a police officer for 23 years in southern Maine, spending the majority of his career as a School Resource Officer. During his career, he participated in updating the emergency safety plans for his district and acted as a trainer in their critical incident response plan. Towards the end of his work in law enforcement, Jeffrey worked with a group of resource officers to start the Maine School Resource Officer’s Association and became a mentor to new SROs in the State.
Stacey Barlow, M.Ed.
Restorative Practices Coordinator
Stacey spent 17 years working in middle and high schools in alternative education programs. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum Design and Instruction and is in the process of completing her Ed.D. in Restorative Justice in Education.
- Restorative Process in an educational setting
- Alternatives to suspension
- Integrating trauma informed practices into school behavioral response
Cheryl Brackett, MBA
Transportation Coordinator
Cheryl has worked for over 32 years in a public school system. She has earned a master’s in business administration from Thomas College. Cheryl works with local school systems to establish and maintain safety and training programs. Although safety for students and staff remains the number one objective, a focus is also made on, efficiency, environmental impact, and reliability.
You can contact Cheryl for:
- Information on School Bus Safety & Training
- School Bus Purchase Program
- Transportation Data & Reports
- Information on obtaining commercial driver's license.
Bridgette Gilbert
School Emergency Management Coordinator
Bridgette was a police officer for 26 years. Sixteen of those years were spent as a School Resource Officer in rural Maine. She was the primary investigator for sexual assault and child abuse cases for many years. Her passion is school safety and security, always striving to make the schools safer for students and staff. She worked closely with local emergency services, the school’s administrative team, social workers, school counseling, and day treatment program. Bridgette was a member of the schools Safety Team, Crisis Team, BARR Program, Homeless Committee, and Threat Assessment Team. Bridgette also helped students who had food insecurity. She currently volunteers at the local food pantry. Bridgette earned her associates degree in Criminal Justice.
You can contact Bridgette for:
- Planning for your school's Comprehensive Health and Safety and Emergency Management Plan
- Resources for Emergency Operations Plans
- Emergency Management training and education
- Emergency Exercises and Drills
Michelle Legare
School Safety and Security Coordinator
Michelle has 17 years of experience in law enforcement, including 5 years as a School Resource Officer in Maine’s 4th largest public school district. Michelle continues to serve two police departments as a Reserve Officer. She is a Field Training Officer, Certified A.L.I.C.E. Instructor, Maine School Safety Specialist, and active member of several teams, including Crisis Intervention, School Safety Team, Count ME in attendance team, BARR team member, PBIS Community Collaboration, and Threat Assessment. Michelle is also the Oxford Hills Middle School Softball Coach and a 2023 Mainer to be Thankful For, as recognized by the Portland Press Herald.
Dedicated to lifelong learning, Michelle collaborates with SROs and school safety leaders across Maine, focusing on training, supporting, and adapting to the evolving education landscape. She is experienced in cyber threats, emergency protocols, and building security, with a commitment to bridging gaps between schools and first responders. Michelle’s approach emphasizes restorative practices, ensuring a culture of care and safety where everyone matters.
You can contact Michelle for:
- Site Assessment
- School Resource officer training
Wendy Robichaud, Ed.D.
School Safety Training Coordinator
Wendy spent 24 years in education as a pre-primary instructor and a high school marketing instructor. She also spent 10 years teaching at the college level. Wendy has a doctoral degree in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. She helps the team design and deliver training, as well as managing the Maine Safe Schools Initiative program through Eastern Maine Community College.
- Enrollment in the School Safety Specialist Program
- Signing up for an upcoming training
Staci Warren, B.A.
Administrative Operations Manager
Staci has a B.A. in Liberal Studies, with minors in Childhood Behavior & Psychology from the University of Maine System.
She began working at SOM DOE in June 2020. Prior to that, she worked for University of Maine Augusta, as Assistant Director of University Advancement and Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs.
- Grant questions
- Contracts, amendments questions and updates
- Invoices, budgets, or general administrative questions