| Janet Clemons |
At their April business meeting, the MSAD 15 board recognized students for a range of accomplishments and heard a presentation on academic achievement at the Middle School and updates on the Strategic Plan and the transition of special services for district three- and four-year-olds.
Recognition. Congratulations go out to all of the following:
— Three GNGHS students from PATHS, the Portland Arts and Technology High School, were awarded Student of the Quarter for the third quarter of the School Year 24-25; Tyler Behnke for Automotive Technology II, Tyler Anderson for Carpentry, and Cole Cook for CTE Exploratory.
— In March, PATHS students competed in the SkillsUSA competition in Bangor. The SkillsUSA Championships is a large hands-on workforce development event that showcases America’s top career and technical education students. Harrison Behnke earned a gold medal and will represent Maine at the national championship in Atlanta for Automotive Technology. Chase Cook received a silver medal in Diesel Equipment Technology, and Brody Tracy received a bronze medal in Carpentry Knowledge.
— During the 2025 One-Act Drama Festival, the cast and crew of the Drama production, Spoon River, received special commendations for mask design and outstanding ensemble. They were also named Class A Runner-Up.
— In March, the GNGHS Robotics Equilibrium Team 6161 successfully competed in 12 matches against 31 different teams at the statewide competition.
— The GNGHS Unified Robotics Equilibrium Team 6161 won the Robot Design Award.
— Dr. Andrea Harvey received the Claire Greenlaw Outstanding Volunteer Award at the Robotics Pine Tree District Event.
— GNGHS Unified Basketball Team went 9-0 this season and had the win at the St. Patrick’s Day Unified Tournament.
— GNGHS Cheerleaders were honored at the Statehouse for an accomplished season and winning the Western Maine Conference Championships.
Strategic Plan update. Superintendent Dr. Chanda Turner updated the Board about progress on the Strategic Plan that was revised when Superintendent Craig King left MSAD15 in November. Turner reported that even with all of the transitions, the District has been making substantial progress.
One item that Dr. Turner expressed pride in is Grade 8 to Grade 9 Academic Transition. A team of Grade 8 and Grade 9 teachers have been working together to increase alignment across core content areas. They have identified specific skills that could increase academic performance in Grade 9 and how best to address and bolster those skills while students are still at GNGMS. All other deliverables are being worked on consistently and a full update will be given at the end of the year, Turner said.
Out-of-state trips for students. Anytime students travel out of state for a school trip, the board has to give consent. They unanimously approved a Middle School out-of-state trip to Washington, D.C., from May 6 – 9, 2025. They also approved a trip in June for Harrison Behnke, to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the SkillsUSA National Competition. Behnke will be travelling to represent the State of Maine, as well as GNGHS in this competition. Both of these trips are funded completely by the students and their families.
Middle School academic achievement. Middle School Principal Richard Riley-Benoit shared a report about academic achievement at GNGMS. This report was in response to questions that have come up during the Budget process. Currently GNGMS per pupil expenditure is $18,149, with the State average being $20,139. 75 percent of GNGMS students are above State expectations in Reading. 47.9 percent of students are at or above expectations in Math. Riley-Benoit shared data comparing MSAD15 and area schools, as well as schools of similar size. He also shared NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) Map Growth data. The NWEA Map Growth data shows academic growth and achievement compared to national averages.
GNGMS uses individual student reports to give information that helps teachers meet the needs of individual students, Riley-Benoit said. If necessary, teachers utilize interventions to increase the possibility of meeting national average achievement. The data is also used to ensure that higher level student achievement continues to grow. The school also uses the data to guide changes at the school level. For example, GNGMS is currently working to create a schedule that will give more instructional time for English Language Arts and Math at grades 5/6. All of the data presented is available on the District website or on the State’s Data Dashboard.
Middle School math curriculum. The board considered and unanimously approved an expenditure on Middle School math program materials. Kristin Dacko, GNGMS Assistant Principal, explained the rationale for this. She shared that teachers piloted three new programs for grades 5 – 8 before determining that Into Math would support their middle school students as they develop their conceptual understanding and grow procedurally. Into Math offers traditional textbooks, consumable workbooks, and online textbooks. Sharon Morey, Chair of the Curriculum Committee, shared that the committee had received an in-depth report about this program and unanimously supports this recommendation. The total expenditure for this in-depth math curriculum will be $92,651.20 for five years.
Transition of Special Services for three and four-year-olds. Dr. Turner shared an update about transition of special services for three- and four-year-olds, a topic she discussed in detail in a March 27 memo to the board. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all states to have a plan for identifying, assessing, and providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities from birth through age 21. In Maine, Child Development Services (CDS) currently implements IDEA requirements for students under age 5. It is the only state in the nation that has something like CDS in place. Current legislation requires school districts to take over this aspect of IDEA by the year 2028.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently accepting applications from districts interested in implementing this transition during the 2025-26 school year, Turner said. Funding would come from the DOE. MSAD15 has proposed beginning this work for four-year-olds during SY25/26. This means all children living in Gray or New Gloucester who are four on October 15, 2025, would fall under MSAD 15. Many of these students will already be enrolled in Pre-K.
Maine DOE estimates the reimbursement for MSAD15 will be approximately $481,363 paid quarterly. Current staffing needs for Pre-K are under $300,000. Administration believes that phasing in this work at this time will allow for a smooth transition to full implementation by July of 2028.
Policies, procedures and job descriptions. The board considered and unanimously approved the following policies and procedures reviewed and/or revived by the Policy Committee:
- FFA Memorials
- BIA New Board Member Orientation
- IJNDB Student Computer/Device Internet Use
- IJNDB-R Procedure Student Computer/Device and Internet Rules
They also considered and unanimously approved job descriptions previously reviewed and revised by the Personnel Committee for the Athletic Director, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development, and Technology Director positions.
As an added note, Dr. Turner said that a hiring committee is being put together for a new Director of Curriculum and Staff Development.
Committee Reports. Chair Adam Copp shared that at their recent meeting the Facilities Committee reviewed and discussed Capital Improvement Projects to be completed within the next year. The Director of Finance and Operations has been prioritizing the needs and wants of the District. The committee also discussed utilizing Capital Reserve Funds to supplement upcoming budgets and recommends moving $500,000 towards the operating budget.
Chair Gary Harriman shared that the Finance Committee has seen and reviewed the budget for the upcoming year. The committee forwarded a list of questions to Dr. Turner.
School Board Chair Report. Board Chair Penny Collins shared that nomination papers for upcoming School Board elections (two seats each for Gray and New Gloucester) are due on April 11. GNGHS graduation is May 30 at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland at 5 p.m. Collins reminded the board that all committee meetings are open to the public and all board members are welcome to attend any meeting. She asked board members to be aware of policies around meetings, including participants’ ability to engage in comment, debate, and voting.
Superintendent Report. There have been two new hires since the March meeting. David Niles is taking the position of 2nd Shift Custodian at Russell School. Jennifer Welch has been hired to be an Ed Tech II in the Supportive Learning Classroom (SLC) at Memorial School.
There have also been two resignations. Effective immediately, Cassandra Daggett is leaving the Food Service Department at Dunn School; John Holt is resigning as a Math Teacher at GNGHS at the end of the year. Karen LeBourdais will transfer from a Functional Life Skills Special Education Teacher at the Middle School to an Applied Academics Special Education Teacher at the Middle School effective at the beginning of School Year 25/26.
It is important to note that the May 7, 2025, board business meeting will be held at the Dunn School Cafetorium/Gym. This is a meeting to see if Dunn will be a location for meetings in New Gloucester moving forward.
Dr. Turner ended her report by sharing that the District’s health insurance rate is increasing from between 3 and 14 percent. The upcoming budget allows for a 12 percent increase.
