August 2022
The RSU 78 Board of Education met on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

Chair Mary Richards reminded the board of the upcoming board workshops for new board member training.

Superintendent Georgia Campbell shared that K-2 has selected a new reading program and that the program will be piloted in the 2022/2023 school year and evaluated at the end of the year. Superintendent Campbell also shared that the Comprehensive Needs Assessment, which is part of the TItle application process, is complete. The report includes demographic data, along with behavior, attendance, and student achievement data, and goals for the coming year. Lastly, the ESEA consolidated application is also complete and RSU 78 is on track to receive a little over $60,000 in federal funding. These funds are used to pay salaries and benefits.

Principal Seth Laliberte shared a presentation on student achievement based on the state assessments from the spring of 2022. More details on Principal Laliberte’s presentation can be seen on the school’s YouTube channel.

Policy Committee had a productive meeting and presented a number of revisions to the board. Finance Committee shared that RSU 78 is in the middle of the annual audit and things are looking good. Facilities Committee shared that a recent tour of the building included seeing a number of planned improvements and a punch list of what remains to be done. Based on immediate need, Facilities Committee recommends that RSU 78 plan to budget for a new school bus for the 2023/2024 school year. There was no report from the Curriculum Committee. Lastly, Negotiations Committee has been formed to move forward with teacher contract negotiations this coming school year.

The Board of Education entered into an executive session at 6:55pm and returned to regular session at 7:10pm.

Two new staff were presented at the meeting: Rohan Doherty as the school therapist, and Delaney Arbore as the Guidance Counselor. Donna Brown was hired for a 1 year position as the Kindergarten teacher. There was one resignation from Amy Cooper, Special Education Ed Tech III. Ms Cooper had been with the district for nine years. The RLRS community wishes her all the best in her new position in the Portland area.

There were a number of action items in front of the board, along with policy revisions. Most passed, but two items, the Student/Parent Handbook and the Interscholastic Handbook, were tabled for further discussion at a special board meeting on August 19, 2022.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45PM. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

The RSU 78 Board of Education met for a special meeting on August 19, 2022. There were two agenda items, both pertaining to the handbooks tabled from the prior meeting. After some discussion, both the Student/Parent Handbook and the Interscholastic Handbook were unanimously approved.

September 2022
The RSU 78 Board of Education met on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. There was one adjustment to the agenda to include a presentation from Nini Christensen regarding the new outdoor classroom.

Board Chair Mary Richards opened the meeting with sharing that the board workshops went very well, and she reminded the board that meetings are guided by Robert’s Rules of Order and all board members are expected to adhere to the Rules.

Superintendent Georgia Campbell shared that the school year is off to one of the best starts in a really long time. Staff and students are in a good place and there’s a positive and upbeat vibe within the school. The consolidated Title application was approved in record time and the district will receive approximately $65,000 in federal funding. Lastly, the outdoor classroom is complete and a press release will go out to local media shortly.

Principal Seth Laliberte spoke about a good start to the year and shared that sports teams are playing well. Staff are looking forward to using the Tuesday early dismissal time for professional development and growth whereas the last two years that time was used to survival. Principal Laliberte gave a presentation on the upcoming Portrait of a Learner. Community involvement is needed for this process. Look for announcements and press releases to go out soon. More details about the Portrait of a Learner can be found in the meeting recording on the school’s YouTube channel.

RSU 78 staff member Nini Christensen gave an update on the outdoor classroom. The classroom is complete and she is planning to gather students in grades 4-6 for various activities in the classroom. All staff are welcome to use the space!

Committee reports were brief as many committees were unable to meet earlier in September. Finance Committee approved the one bid from M&H for a two year snow removal contract. Facilities Committee is continuing to investigate solar panels on the school roof. Initial research has been positive.

The Board of Education entered into an executive session at 6:48PM for an appointee matter, and re-entered regular session at 7:00PM. After the executive session, one action item was taken to vacate a seat on the board.

Other action items included the approval of the winter grounds care and snow removal bid from M&H, approval of a trip to Puerto Rico for Spanish students in the spring of 2023, and approval of an overnight trip to a performance at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine for music teacher Erin Smith and her high school singers.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25PM

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 6:00PM in the multipurpose room.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.