| Janet Clemons |
Initiatives centering on a new teaching and learning partnership with SMCC, enhanced Grades 5-12 advising, and the state’s Data Dashboard were among the topics at the MSAD 15 School Board’s December 7 meeting. The board also heard reports from committees, got updates on staffing, and celebrated student achievements.
Recognition: Three Gray-New Gloucester High School students have been named Student of the Quarter at Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS). Recognition was given to Alex Wilson for Automotive Collision, Nolan Swett for Automotive Technology and Charlena LaVallee for Careers in Education.
In addition, the GNGHS Football team earned the Regional Sportsmanship Award for 2022.
Curriculum and Staff Development Updates: Chanda Turner, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development, gave two updates on district initiatives. The first concerned a partnership being developed with Southern Maine Community College (SMCC). Two years in the making, the Educator Apprentice Program will address the problem of Ed Tech shortages with the potential to bring ten to fifteen SMCC students to work as substitute Ed Techs while positions remain open.
In addition to being given substitute pay to work at the various schools, the students will be earning credit and will be eligible to take SMCC education classes to be offered at MSAD 15 and taught by MSAD 15 staff. These classes will be available to all district staff as well. All participating students will go through the required background checks and will be well supervised, Turner said. This program is being paid for by a Workplace Development grant.
The second presentation by Chanda Turner was an update on the School Data Dashboard. The Dashboard organizes all of the data that the State of Maine collects about each school district: demographics, per pupil spending, high school graduation rates, state assessment results, etc. Turner also shared additional district-specific information that MSAD 15 compiles and submits that they feel Board members should be aware of when making curricular decisions. The supplemental local dashboard data focuses on English Language Arts and Math Benchmarks, Advanced Coursework (mostly related to the high school), Diploma Endorsements, and Academic Extensions (alternative credit options and data on PATHS students and programming).
Information and a link to the Maine School Data Dashboard can be found on the MSAD 15 website on the District Report Card page or through this direct link. For data about MSAD 15, choose the “District” report option and select “RSU 15/MSAD 15” from the dropdown menu. For individual schools, choose the “School” report option and select the school from the dropdown menu.
New Business: Out-of-state field trip, new hires, advisory program update. The Board unanimously approved an out-of-state trip to Washington, D.C., for 28 GNG Middle School eighth graders. WorldStrides, a tour company, coordinates the trip with the Middle School. Students will be visiting many museums and monuments from May 2 to May 5, 2023.
As a result of the resignation of a teacher who was the halftime IB Coordinator and halftime Social Studies teacher, the High School asked the Board for an additional halftime Social Studies position for the second semester of this school year. This will offer increased elective course offerings for students, especially those with too many study halls. With this addition, the High School is hoping to bring back some popular Social Studies electives, such as History of Sports, History of Film, and Political Science. The Board unanimously approved.
For new hires, the Board unanimously approved James LePage as a probationary full-time Social Studies teacher at the High School. Susan Hedrich was approved as a probationary Special Education Teacher for one year at Russell School.
Lisa Knedler, the Advisory Coordinator of the Middle/High School Advisory Program, reported that there is now a vertically aligned Advisory Program for grades 5-12. Advisory programs are not new to the district, but this program makes some changes. The Advisory Program is now seen as a required class in grades 5-12 to help build the climate and culture of our schools. The program provides a curriculum with a defined scope and sequence to support the advisors. Some of the lessons and their timing are mandatory, while others offer advisory groups some flexibility. The current model is seen as a work in progress and is being monitored by a Steering Committee that meets every six weeks. The Steering Committee is made up of the Advisory Coordinator, Superintendent, and Curriculum Coordinator, along with administrators and guidance counselors from GNGHS and GNGMS.
Committee Reports: Each Board committee reported on their monthly meetings. The Facilities Committee reports that HVAC system renovation at the High School has worked well to improve ventilation in the building. At this time every classroom in the district has active brand-new ventilation. The committee also heard a proposal from Mechanical Services, the vendor who worked on the recent HVAC renovations, for a comprehensive report of the district’s energy systems, ventilation systems, air quality, and CO2/CO levels. Once this comprehensive report is completed, Mechanical Systems will provide an assessment of needed system improvements. More information is needed and will be discussed at future Facilities meetings.
The Facilities Committee also discussed the need to have the gym floors at the High School and Middle School refinished. Estimates are forthcoming. The committee also offered a COPS grant update. This grant provided funding to prevent violence in Maine schools by training faculty, students and first responders, and improving school security measures. All of this was done with an effort to make the schools and the communities safer. The security systems are up and running with positive feedback so far. About $35,000 remains, with $459,000 in federal funds spent. In addition, $165,000 budgeted local funds were also spent.
The Finance Committee met and discussed an additional $50,000 in revenue from the enrollment of more students from Raymond than anticipated, 26 in all. In addition, there will be money left over in this year’s budget due to the large number of positions remaining open. As of this meeting there are 2.5 teaching positions open and 14.5 support staff positions open. A more specific dollar amount will be available in January.
Along with increased revenue and savings, the district is facing increases in the areas of electricity and fuel costs, the committee reported. There is also work on lead mitigation and water issues still needing to be addressed. Overall the district is in good shape as it moves toward building the upcoming budget. The committee also reviewed the use of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. Some of these funds were used for the air ventilation systems at the High School, summer work for teachers and Extended School year positions. An additional social worker and an additional nurse, along with long-term substitutes, have also been supported through ESSER funds.
The Personnel Committee also had some discussion about open positions. The current IB Coordinator has moved on, which has created some concern about the IB program. They also discussed some possible needs for personnel for the upcoming budget. The Personnel Committee is beginning the process of contract negotiations with the Teachers Union.
The Curriculum Committee had been given a preview of the Curriculum Coordinator’s presentation prior to this meeting. They were also given a presentation on the assessment data received from NWEA.
The Policy Committee noted that they will be an initial discussion of a Transgender Students Policy at their December meeting. The initial discussion of this topic will take place after the committee receives a Drummond Woodsum training, The purpose of the policy will be to provide support for students of all gender and sexual identities by fostering a safe and comfortable learning environment free of harassment.
Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Craig King reported on several new hires. Sydney Lefebvre will be an Ed Tech I at Dunn School and Haley Goff will be an Ed Tech III at the GNG Middle School. Christine Toews will be the Middle School 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, John Waterman will be Nordic Ski Coach at the Middle School, and MacKenzie Burrow will coach 1st Team Boys Basketball Team, Middle School. Deborah Chapman is returning as an Ed Tech III at Dunn School.
There were also two resignations and one retirement to report. Bobbie Thibodeau has resigned from her position at the High School as a halftime Social Studies Teacher and halftime IB Coordinator, and Katrinka French has resigned from her position as an Ed Tech II at Russell School. Dr. King announced that Terry Hicks, a Special Education Teacher at Russell School, is retiring.
In addition, there were two in-district transfers. Katie Sinclair has transferred from an Ed Tech III Russell School to an Ed Tech II (pre-K) at Dunn School. Daniel Jenkins has transferred from a Permanent Sub at the High School to an Ed Tech III at the High School.
