| Janet Clemons |
At their May business meeting, the MSAD 15 board celebrated the top graduates of the GNG Class of 2025 and approved the warrants for the upcoming budget town meeting/budget validation on May 22 and the budget validation on June 10, among other actions.
Recognition. Dr. Chanda Turner, MSAD 15 Superintendent, introduced the members of the Class of 2025 who are graduating in the top 10 percent. These students were present to be recognized and celebrated for their hard work. Each introduced themselves and spoke about their future plans.
The Valedictorian, Isabelle Morelli, will be attending the University of Southern Maine (USM) majoring in political science in an accelerated law pathway. She will also be a member of the women’s basketball team. Salutatorian Lily Colby is going to the University of Maine at Orono (UMO) majoring in civil engineering on an environmental track. Kailey Wilkinson will be attending Boston University, majoring in cellular molecular biology with a genetic specialization on a pre-med track. Cecilia Rossi will be attending the University of New Hampshire, majoring in medical microbiology in the Honors College. Cole Thibodeau is planning to attend Bates College to study neuroscience or biology.
Connor Hughes is committed to UMO to study marine science. Elara Kluck will be attending USM studying biology or biochemistry. She will be on the track team. Annabelle Reynolds is planning to attend Assumption University while studying political science and participating on the track team. Noah Johnson is going to Maine Maritime Academy to study marine systems and will be on the football team. Avalyn Beaudin will be attending Saint Joseph’s College to study nursing and participate in alpine skiing.
Cameron Meek plans to attend UMO to study mechanical engineering. Jacob Anderson is going to UMO and will be studying mechanical engineering with a focus on aerospace. Laney Farrar will be attending Husson College to pursue a career in nursing. She will also be on the basketball team. Megan Torokis is going to the University of Maine at Farmington UMO to major in elementary education. Congratulations to these talented young people!
In other recognitions at the May 7 meeting, Mary Pennington, GNGHS Art Teacher, and the student editor of the 9th edition of Heartwood Arts and Literary Magazine were present at the meeting to talk about this year’s magazine and distribute copies to the Board. The publication was celebrated at the High School on Tuesday May 6. Heartwood Arts and Literary Magazine celebrates and promotes the creativity of students at GNGHS. This year’s edition includes the work of 42 authors and artists and is 71 pages in full color. Heartwood Arts and Literary Magazine was dedicated to Dr. Craig King, former Superintendent of MSAD 15, in recognition of his strong support of the arts throughout his career. He attended the celebration at the High School on May 6.
John Stults, valued Bus Driver/Bus Driver Trainer with MSAD 15 for the last three years, competed in the annual MAPT Regional Conference Bus Rodeo at Kennebunk High School. Mr. Stults competed against over eighty other local bus drivers and won the regional title. He has now qualified to compete in the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) state competition, which will be held in July at the Augusta Civic Center. The top three drivers of this statewide competition will advance to a national event.
Public Comment. Community members, including parents, students and staff, spoke about the loss of the American Sign Language (ASL) teacher position at GNGHS. ASL can be used to complete the World Language requirement at GNGHS, and many students choose this option over French or Spanish, the other world languages offered at GNGHS. There was an ASL interpreter at the Board meeting as well. In keeping with Board policy about Public Comment, board members did not respond to the comments.
Federal funding update. Dr. Turner updated the Board on the status of MSAD 15’s federal funding. After meeting with the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Attorney General, the district’s legal team, and representatives from area school districts, Dr. Turner was able to confirm the status of MSAD 15’s federal funding. At this time, all federal funding continues to flow through the State of Maine to local school districts. Dr. Turner does not anticipate that this will change.
Introduction of School Resource Officer. Dr. Turner introduced the new School Resource Officer, Deputy Eric Sanborn. Deputy Sanborn mentioned that he is here of his own accord. He said he felt that this was important to mention as some deputies have been pushed into the position. He has felt very welcomed by students and staff in all of the schools.
Deputy Sanborn has been in law enforcement for about six years after retiring from the Marine Corps in 2009. Although the High School is the priority, Deputy Sanborn tries to get to each school daily to help the students become used to his presence. Becoming familiar with the schools and running some safety drills has allowed new SRO Sanborn to look into and experience the district’s safety plans. Revamping these plans is a priority for the next school year.
Second probationary and continuing contracts awarded. The Board members present unanimously nominated the following teachers to Second Probationary Contracts: David Southwick, Christopher Teas, Alan Molnar, Dawson Smith, Penelope Coward, Sarah Carter, Logan Granholm, Jordan Colbert, Eric Howell, Liza Dimitri, Cristiana Iacone-Waybright, Kaitlin Dixon, Michelle Gilbert, Mariam Ahammed, and Megan Gaba.
The board also unanimously nominated several teachers for continuing teacher’s contracts. Continuing Contract status is offered to teachers who have successfully completed two years of probationary teaching and been found to meet the standards set by MSAD 15. All have had extensive mentoring and evaluations. The list includes speech therapists, language teachers, special education teachers, occupational therapists, music teachers, and classroom teachers. Continuing Teacher’s Contracts have been offered to Amanda Diffin, Christina Keepes, Bonnie Smith, Melissa Elie, Nancy Boucher, Jodi Smith, Adam Kalakowsky, Jarrod Bishop, Kathleen True, Deven Goyet, Arianna Demetroulakos, Lawrence Peters, and Erica Stephens.
Job descriptions approved. Board members discussed and unanimously approved the following new Athletic job descriptions: Middle School Outdoor Track, 1st Team Volleyball, High School. These are two new job descriptions for two new stipend positions that will not add to the proposed budget.
Board members considered and unanimously approved the following Special Services-related job descriptions: Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Social Worker, Director of Special Services, Assistant Director of Special Services, Speech Therapist.
Paid family medical leave. The Board discussed and voted (9 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 absent) to allow the District to explore the feasibility of moving forward with adopting a private plan for Paid Family Medical Leave through an insurance contract issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. This would be in substitution of the current Maine Paid Family Medical Leave program. This would be subject to change every year and in theory will cost less.
Acceptance of donation. The Board unanimously accepted a donation of folding chairs valued at $3,200 from the Pathway Vineyard Church. Through the Facilities Use Policy the church uses Dunn School’s gym most weeks and has offered to buy new folding chairs for their purposes and the purposes of the District as well.
Budget Reconciliation Meeting and Budget Validation Referendum. The Board unanimously approved the following items pertaining to the Budget Reconciliation Meeting to be held on Thursday May 22 at GNGHS and the Budget Referendum vote on June 10:
- Budget articles for the District Budget Meeting be written in a closed format. Articles can be amended down but cannot be amended up.
- The Warrant for the Maine School Administrative District 15 (the “District”) Budget Meeting was approved and a District budget meeting was formally called for May 22, 2025, for the purpose of voting on the annual budget for the District for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
- The Warrant and Notice of Election for the District Budget Validation Referendum. A District budget validation referendum was called for June 10, 2025, for the purpose of approving the budget adopted at the District budget meeting for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
- Notice of Amounts Adopted at Budget Meeting and authorized and directed the Superintendent of Schools of the District to complete said Notice in accordance with the District budget meeting on May 22, 2025, and to cause copies of said Notice, as completed, to be delivered to the municipal clerks of each municipality of the District for posting at the polling places for the June 10, 2025, District budget validation referendum.
School Board Chair Report. Board Chair Penny Collins shared her monthly report. She recently met with the auditors who are beginning the audit process for the current school year. The district is still waiting for the finalization of last year’s audit which will be presented at the next business meeting, Collins said.
All Committees are doing end-of-year reflections of what went well this year.
Collins reminded everyone that GNGHS graduation is May 30, at 5 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena.
Superintendent Report. Dr. Turner shared that there has been one new hire. April Bartley-Loftus of New Gloucester has been hired as a Van Driver for the Transportation Department. She also reported on some resignations. Bradley Nord is leaving the part-time Art Teacher position at Dunn School. Michelle Stetson is leaving her position as a Classroom Teacher at the Middle School. Bonita Valente-Tuttle has resigned as a Van Driver for Transportation. All of these resignations are effective at the end of the school year.
Julie Stevens, Secretary at the Middle School, will be retiring at the end of the school year.
Dr. Turner also announced that GNGMS Principal Rick Riley Benoit attended the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development Career Fair in Orono to represent MSAD 15 about current job opportunities.
