FRYEBURG – Students at two of SAD 72’s six schools will return to school buildings in transition this fall.
Work at the Charles A. Snow School to repair damage from a July 13 fire is still under way. The Molly Ockett Middle School is also undergoing major repairs.
Superintendent of Schools Gary MacDonald said that “children will be minimally affected by work” at the two schools. Construction of a new roof at the middle school will keep students from using the gym there for the first few weeks of school, but the rest of the building will be unaffected.
MacDonald said that the Snow School suffered “significantly more” damage from the fire than was first reported. But he is very hopeful that the school will be ready for students by Sept. 6, the first day of school, and said there has been “an incredible push to make that happen.”
He added that the three major issues the district faces this year are facilities, the budget, and curriculum and instruction. In addition to work being done on two of the district’s school facilities, the district is planning a population study, which will focus on overcrowding at the Snow School.
MacDonald also hopes to continue to build on past success in the district’s curriculum to help “every child reach his or her fullest potential.”
The district will review all aspects of the budget process this year and will try to “be as clear in our communication to the public as we can be” throughout the process. MacDonald will also work with selectmen and town officials in the district to make changes caused by the state’s new Essential Programs and Services model clear.
There are changes in the administrative team this year, although most only involve shifts within the district. MacDonald, formerly principal of the New Suncook School, became superintendent on July 1. Rhonda Poliquin, a teacher at New Suncook, will replace MacDonald as principal. Sharon Burnell, formerly principal of Denmark/Brownfield Elementary, is now principal of the Molly Ockett School, and former Principal Joe Soraghan will now serve as vice principal. Charles Miller, the only newly hired member of the administrative team, will serve as principal of the Denmark/Brownfield School.
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