| Janet Clemons |
Gray-New Gloucester High School ranked #6 out of 103 Maine High Schools by U.S. News, the top ten percent of GNGHS’s Class of 2024 named, and a host of teachers granted continuing and probationary contracts were among highlights at the MSAD 15 School Board’s May business meeting.
Recognition. This year’s Gray-New Gloucester High School Graduation will take place at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Wednesday, June 5, at 5 p.m. During the May 1 meeting, the MSAD15 School Board introduced the top ten percent of the graduating Class of 2024 and heard their plans for the fall:
- Caitlin Sweeney will be attending Cornell University and studying Biological Sciences in a pre-med track.
- Andrew Keddy will be studying Civil Engineering at the University of Maine at Orono (UMaine).
- Marco Profenno will be attending Colby College in a pre-law track focused on either Economics or Government.
- Ellie Steele is attending Husson University’s Accelerated Physical Therapy program and will pursue her doctorate.
- Carter Libby will be studying Economics at UMaine.
- Ella Brown will be attending the University of Southern Maine’s (USM) Nursing program. Eleanor Drew will be attending USM for Business.
- Kylie Thibodeau will be attending Columbia University to study Economics and Political Science.
- Morgan Wilson will be attending UMaine to study Economics and Mathematics.
- Haley Mendell will be studying Spanish and International Affairs at Northeastern University.
- Emilie Wilson will study Marketing at UMaine.
- Anna Martin will be attending UMaine Farmington to major in Elementary Education.
- Malia Lewis will be attending Syracuse University to study Biology and Broadcast Journalism.
- Elizabeth Stiles will be attending Sacred Heart University majoring in Health Sciences and Dance.
- Kiara Martinez will be attending the University of New England and is currently undecided about her major.
- Samuel Larrivee will be attending UMaine to possibly study Survey Engineering.
GNGHS ranked sixth in the State of Maine. Sadie Grealish, GNGHS principal, and Dr. Chanda Turner, Curriculum Coordinator, shared the Spring 2024 Top High School Rankings from US News and World Report. They were very proud to report that Gray New Gloucester High School ranked #6 in Maine (out of 103 high schools), #4 in Portland/Southern Maine Area High Schools (out of 34) and #5,333 in National Rankings (out of 17,660 ranked high schools).
The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best High Schools rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes and above expectations in
- math state assessment
- reading state assessment
- science state assessment
- earned qualifying scores on college-level exams (just IB considered for Maine this year)
- high graduation rate percentages
US News and World Report also took into account Gray-New Gloucester High School’s Subject Proficiency school data as compared to State averages on the Northwest Evaluation Association Assessment (NWEA).
- In Mathematics GNGHS students earned 88% proficiency compared to the 80% State average.
- In Reading GNGHS students earned 86% compared to the 80% State average.
- In Science GNGHS students earned 40% compared to the 40% State average.
Six weighted indicators were also used to calculate a school’s overall score and establish national rankings:
- College Readiness (30%)
- College Curriculum Breadth (10%)
- State Assessment Proficiency (20%)
- State Assessment Performance (20%)
- Underserved Student Performance (10%)
- Graduation Rate (10%)
Dr. Turner commended Ms. Grealish for the work that she did to organize the data that was used for this ranking system.
Adult Education Self-Study and Strategic Plan. The Board heard a report from Stephanie Haskins, Adult Education Director, and Maureen Mitchell, the Adult Ed College and Career Advisor, about a self-study conducted by the Adult Education Program that began in May of 2023.
At that time, Dr. King, Superintendent of MSAD 15 schools, and the MSAD 15 School Board requested a strategic plan for Adult Education. This would help guide programming during the next five years. A committee was formed in October 2023. Committee members included Stephanie Haskins, GNG Adult Education Director; Theresa Boynton, GNG Adult Education Program Coordinator; Maureen Mitchell, GNG Adult Education College and Career Advisor; Sheila Myhaver, GNG Adult Education Instructor; Gary Harriman, MSAD 15 School Board; Penny Collins, MSAD 15 School Board; Jade Costello, GNG High School Assistant Principal; and Jenny Rose, Director, RSU 16 Adult Education. The committee also heard from a former GNG Adult Education student during one of their meetings.
The committee met three times in a workshop format to complete mission/vision/values work, evaluate a community survey, and assess strengths and challenges in current programming to guide the development of strategic goals and objectives for the coming years.
The developed strategic plan utilized input from staff, students, administrators, and the public regarding priorities for Gray-New Gloucester Adult Education over the next five years. This plan is a working document that provides a guide from which to base decisions, determine funding priorities, and develop programming. Moving forward, the plan will be reviewed to evaluate progress and make necessary adjustments to reflect the current Adult Education needs and State and Federal requirements.
The Adult Education Strategic Plan developed includes the following goals:
- All learners will receive high-quality instruction and advising that provides the resources, skills, and knowledge to succeed in their academic, career, and personal goals.
- All learners and staff will be welcomed and supported with high-quality, appropriate facilities and equipment that reflect MSAD15’s commitment to them and their future success.
- Gray-New Gloucester Adult Education will provide access to industry-specific workforce training and preparation programs to help learners obtain meaningful employment.
- Gray-New Gloucester Adult Education will effectively collaborate and communicate with stakeholders, Cumberland County Education and Career Development members (known as HUB 8), and the State.
Employment Updates. Superintendent Craig King presented an update on recruitment and employment of new personnel. Principals are interviewing for many open positions. Interviews are in process for Business Manager, Director of Operations, and Transportation Supervisor. Ed.Tech II and Ed. Tech III interviews are ongoing.
Board Survey. Dr. King also reported on the results of a survey that ten of the eleven Board members completed to determine what types of information should be presented to new board members. There is a lot of information that Board members need to know and understand when their service begins, such as the specific roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent vs. the specific roles and responsibilities of the School Board.
The Maine School Management Association offers workshops on much of the necessary information during the fall of each school year, but the workshops are during the work day and not all members can attend. Some information will be gathered into a binder for Board members and there will be ongoing Board workshops, they decided.
Federal Elementary and Seconday Education Act (ESEA) Title Grant Allocations. Dr. Turner gave a report on Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) title grant allocations. All ESEA grants are federally funded. Title I Part A (ESEA) provides funds for supplemental support to students in high-poverty schools to ensure that all children have a fair and equitable opportunity to obtain high-quality education. MSAD 15 received $305,021 for School Year (SY) 23-24 and will receive an estimated $272,929.23 for SY 24-25.
Funds from Title 1A will be utilized next year for a Pre-K Intervention Teacher, K-4 Intervention Ed Techs, family engagement events and RTI tools and resources.
Title II ESEA funds are used to increase student academic achievement through improving teacher and principal quality. MSAD 15 received $65,515.49 in Title II funding for SY 23-24 and will receive $57,495.74 for SY 24-25. There has been a steady decline in Title II fund allocations the last few years aligned to the legislative intention to reduce or eliminate this area of funding in the coming years. These funds will be used for PEPG Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth, Teacher Leader stipends, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) stipends and Literacy- and Math-connected professional learning.
Title IV of the ESEA provides funding for student support and academic enrichment. MSAD 15 received $31,806.60 for SY 23-24 and will receive $30,939.30 for SY 24- 25, Turner said.
Title V of the ESEA, also known as the Rural Education Achievement Program, is a federally-funded program which provides funding to support students and teachers in rural locations to improve academic achievement. MSAD 15 received $13,874.45 in Title V funds for SY 23/24 and will receive $11,104.55 for SY 24/25. This allocation has steadily declined over the last five years from a high of $30,000. The funds for next year will be used for Ed Techs to provide Intervention for grades K – 4. Dr. Turner said it is anticipated this funding will continue to decline aligned with the changing population and demographics of our communities.
Warrant Articles for the 2024-25 Budget. The Board discussed including Warrant Article XVIII for the expenditure of up to $100,000 from the existing capital reserve funds (currently about $1.2 million) to pay the costs of ongoing architectural and engineering studies for the upcoming bond projects. The motion passed, 10-1 (Monroe opposed).
The Board unanimously approved a motion to require the budget articles for the District Budget Meeting be written in a closed format. This means that the amounts for articles can be amended down but cannot be amended up.
In a succession of unanimous and 11-1 votes (Monroe opposed), the board formally took the next steps to bring the proposed 2024-25 budget before voters. The board approved convening a District budget meeting on May 16, 2024, and taking the budget adopted at the District budget meeting to a referendum vote on June 11, 2024. Notices of amounts approved at the May 16 meeting will be sent to the municipal clerks for posting at the June 11 polling places, the board also voted.
Committee Reports. The Facilities Committee has been discussing the upcoming Bond project. At this time, there is a plan for a public forum on the Bond to be held in August with a special election for a referendum on the bond following in September. In the meantime the committee is prioritizing projects for end of the year expenditures totalling about $300,000. Items to be completed include a new front porch/ramp at Central Office, replacing high school bathroom stalls, and Middle School locker room upgrades.
The Finance Committee has been working with the Administration to present to the voters a budget that meets the needs of the District while minimizing the impact on taxpayers.
The Personnel Committee receives ongoing updates on District hiring. There are many positions being advertised and some interviews are in progress. The committee has also been updating the process for the superintendent’s evaluation. The evaluation process should be finished by early June. The committee has changed the title of Guidance Counselors to School Counselors.
The Policy Committee has been looking into updating the fee structure for the Policy for the Use of Facilities. They are also working with Administration to revise and align the Co-curricular Activities Code of Conduct for Middle and High School Students policy and procedures.
Contracts. The Board appointed the following teachers to a 2nd Probationary Contract: Bonnie Smith – District Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA); Christina Keepes – Teacher Dunn School; Deven Goyet – District Occupational Therapist; Erica Stephens – Russell School Special Education Teacher; Nancy Boucher – Middle School World Language Teacher; Adam Kalakowsky – High School Special Education Teacher; Lawrence Peters – High School Special Education Teacher; Arianna Demetroulakos – High School School Counselor; Jarrod Bishop – Middle School Music Teacher; Rebecca Skelton – MIddle School Teacher; John Holt – High School Teacher; Amanda Diffin – District Speech and Language Pathologist; Stephanie Abrams – Middle School Teacher; Melissa Elie – MIddle School Teacher; Kathleen True – K- 8 Special Education Social Worker; and Jodi Smith – District English Language Learner Teacher.
The Board also approved teachers to a Continuing Contract. Once on a continuing contract, unless a duly certified teacher receives written notice to the contrary at least six months before the terminal date of the contract, the contract must be extended automatically for one year and similarly in subsequent years. The list of teachers awarded continuing contracts is Eric Brown – Middle School Teacher: Heidi Colello – Middle School Teacher; Eric Anderson – High School Library Media Specialist; Thaley Donoghue – Dunn School Teacher; Jerusha Chicoine – District Speech and Language Pathologist; Katherine Wigmore – Russell School Counselor; Megan Congro – Middle School Special Education Teacher; Kyle Rasmussen – Middle School Teacher; Daniel Yancelson – Middle School World Language Teacher; Melissa Eelman – Russell School Teacher; Anna Gardner – Middle School Teacher; Timothy Grassi – High School Special Education Teacher; Kathryn Josephs – Middle School Teacher; James LePage – High School Teacher; Erin-Margaret Libby – Music Teacher for Dunn and Memorial Schools; Daniel McMaster – Middle School Teacher; Meghan Bloniasz Monahan – Russell School Special Education Teacher; Andrew O’Connell-Shevenell – Middle School School Counselor; Sarah Plourde – Russell School Teacher; Kathryn Mitchell – Memorial School K-2 Behavioral Interventionist, and Angela Swarr – Russell School Teacher.
School Board Chair Report. Chair Sam Pfeifle reported on a joint meeting between the officers of the towns of Gray and New Gloucester and MSAD15 Administration and School Board. He also spoke about a meeting with the Administration of Unity College which is now housed on the Pineland Campus. Mr. Pfeifle feels that it would be mutually beneficial for this academic institution, MSAD15 and the two towns to all work together to find solutions to common problems, such as housing for employees.
Superintendent Report. Dr. King reported that Catherine Sanville has been hired as Ed Tech II for Dunn School. In addition, there have been two resignations that are effective August 2024: Alison Roberts, a teacher at Memorial School, and Thomas Parker, a Special Education Teacher. Tessa Benson has transferred from a Second Grade teacher for one year only to an Ed Tech II at the Memorial School effective August 2024. Donna Skilling, an Ed Tech II at Memorial School, has announced her retirement. Mrs. Skilling has worked for the District for 35 years.
