FARMINGTON – Despite a decision by the state’s education commissioner to delay the implementation of Learning Results, SAD 9 will still require the originally scheduled class of 2007 to meet the standards.

Last week, Commissioner Susan Gendron wrote an open letter to school administrators stating that the implementation would not be mandated to be effective until the class of 2008, who are this year’s eighth-graders. Initially, schools had been told the class of 2007, who entered high school this fall as freshmen, would be required to meet the new learning standards.

The holdup was called as educators and administrators statewide wait for the results of the Nov. 4 education referendum, which will determine the state’s percentage responsibility to school funding.

“A final decision cannot be made regarding the required timelines until the results of the referendum are known and the State Board of Education, the Education Committee, and the Maine Legislature address the implications of those results,” said Gendron in her letter.

Gendron encouraged those already on track to meet the results by 2007 in math and language arts to do so.

But that’s not enough for SAD 9, which plans to meet learning results with the graduating class of 2007 not only in math and language arts, but hopefully in science, social studies and health/physical education.

At Tuesday night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Michael Cormier said the district had more resources than smaller districts and could thus execute the implementation. “We are going to stick with it,” he said.

Essentially, Cormier explained to the board, Gendron’s call was because districts were asked to do too much with too little money. He applauded the commissioner, however, for giving schools the “latitude” for implementation. “She’s actually given us a gift,” he admitted.

Board Vice Chairman Raymond Glass said although he supported the district’s decision, he was concerned Gendron’s call sent a confusing message to parents, students and educators. In addition, Glass asked Cormier to assess how the class of 2007, special education students and teachers are reacting to the dramatic changes required to meet the results.

As part of the SAD 9 implementation plan, earlier this year the district’s board of directors unanimously agreed, without debate, to raise the minimum required credits for high school graduates from 21 to 23. The two extra credits will come from additional classes in science and career preparation.

Learning Results show that Mt. Blue High School students are behind the expected curve in physical sciences, such as physics or chemistry. The extra career prep class is an effort to help students tailor their course load toward their future careers.

–Dressing up policy—

Cormier also told directors a dress code policy for district staff was being drafted and will be presented to the policy committee shortly. If the policy committee approves it, the plan will then go before directors.

“How we dress reflects who we are,” said Cormier. “It’s not a huge problem, it’s a little a issue.”

–Enrollment steady—

Cormier announced that enrollment numbers were on track with last year. Districtwide, there are around 2,700 students this fall, compared to more than 3,000 when the district formed 11 years ago.

This fall’s kindergarten class is the largest in five years with around 200 students. Over the past few years, enrollment in the entering grade has been between 160 and 180 students.


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