Board: Mechanic Falls School Committee

Met: Tuesday night

School consolidation

The scoop: Union 29 Superintendent Dennis Duquette told the School Committee that Maine Department of Education officials have asked for further details on reasons why Union 29 and SAD 15 have placed merger talks on hold and sought permission to stay as they are. State officials want more detail on the financial burdens that consolidation would place on local property tax payers.

Up next: Duquette said he will meet with SAD 15 officials in Gray and New Gloucester on Friday to develop a response, which the parties will jointly submit next week.

Roof damage

The scoop: Elm Street School Principal Mary Martin reported that the roof on the school’s new modular addition developed leaks last Thursday that caused considerable damage to two classrooms. Firefighters were called to clear the roof, and on Friday an engineer inspected the roof and determined it was structurally sound. Students were allowed back into the area Monday, however, one of the rooms was so damaged it was unusable.

Up next: An insurance adjuster has determined that the damage was covered and repairs will be made as soon as possible.

Teacher resignation

The scoop: The School Committee accepted with regret the resignation of grades seven and eight language arts teacher Barbara Riley. She is retiring after 37 years at the school.

– Winslow Durgin