PARIS — Superintendent Rick Colpitts told SAD 17 directors Tuesday night that he’s committed to reducing class size, but without more space it’s difficult to do.
Colpitts said most of the schools are at capacity and replacing Agnes Gray School in West Paris and Oxford Hills Middle School in Paris remain elusive because of state funding.
Class size and school replacement were two of nearly a dozen goals Colpitts outlined.
Others are implementing proficiency-based learning options, engaging the community with students, strengthening instructional practices through coaching, and building a needs-driven budget that gains community support. All are supported by the Strategic Plan, a five-year blueprint for the Oxford Hills School District.
The plan address teaching and learning, recruitment, professional development evaluation and retention of staff, financial planning and oversight, facilities, communications and development and alumni relations.
Colpitts said directors will get a detailed update of the Strategic Plan at the Sept. 17 meeting.
“It’s a lot to digest all by itself, but the plan itself is very complicated,” said board Chairman Ron Kugell of Oxford said.
Director Bob Jewell asked if goals of current board members could be incorporated into the plan.
Colpitts said the plan will be reviewed again in 2018 and extended for another five years after comments from directors, the community and others involved in the process.
In other news, directors:
* OK’d a plan to increase substitute teacher pay from $55 to $70 for subs without certification and from $55 to $80 for those with certification. Long-term substitutes of up to 60 days with associate or bachelor degrees will be paid $150 a day. Those who are teacher certified and sub more than 60 days will be paid the base rate of teacher scale per diem.
* Approved a sports coaching appointment; kindergarten through grade 12 department heads; and approved 11 teaching, educational technician and food service assistant positions.
* Approved nominations for the Certification Steering Committee
* Approved the Operations Committee recommendation of bus loop work at Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris be awarded to Everett Excavation for $120,620. Other bids were for $170,000 and $230,000.
ldixon@sunmediagroup.net
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