BETHEL — “Tonight is a special meeting and not just because we have July off, but also because it’s Dave’s last meeting,” said board chair Danny Whitney. He invited others on the board to speak about Murphy who has been SAD 44 superintendent for the past 23 years.

“I first met Dr. Murphy in 1986. But he scares me less today than he did then. Weren’t you taller? In all those years even with teenage rebellion and controversy I always knew Dave does what he believes is best for children …” said Tammy Goodwin, of Greenwood, board member and Murphy’s former student.

“You were definitely shorter,” responded Murphy.

“Regardless of how many times I reached out, he always took the time to answer the questions and figure out the ideas without fail. We are a small district with limited funds but he’s become an expert at stretching every dollar, obtaining every grant and working every angle to make sure we are giving our students the very best we can as a district. The kind of stability he has offered over the years is the kind a community grows accustomed to and even takes for granted…,” said board member Stephanie Herbeck.

“… Now take some time off and enjoy yourself. You deserve it,” said board member David Bartlett.

Murphy said, “Just want to say I’m leaving and Sheryl, you are still here.” (Sheryl Morgan of Woodstock has been on the board for 23 non-consecutive years)

School business

Seven people sat in the audience, three were new select board members that will start in August at the next meeting: Destiny Hughes of Greenwood, Stephanie Cayer of Bethel and Bryan Kendall of Woodstock.

They will replace, Stephanie Erickson, Maggie Davis and Wendy Coffin who are stepping down.

Board chair Danny Whitney is stepping down, too. His position will be appointed by the Bethel select board.

In Murphy’s superintendents report he announced several appointments and resignations.

“Jess Wilkie, our Woodstock elementary teacher and principal [is leaving]. Jess has done an outstanding job for us in a number of ways … She will be missed.” Wilkie is moving out of state.

For Parent Teacher Administration (PTA) and end of year updates, Tanya Arsenault said, “We ended the year with an amazing field day.” She said the CPS school store will open in the fall.

Destiny Hughes, incoming school board member and Woodstock PTA president said, “We also finished off with a really nice field day… We did a nice farewell to Jess Wilkie. We are extremely sad to see her go but extremely excited for her. I may or may not have cried. Big alligator tears on stage in front of everyone.”

Incoming Telstar Middle School Principal Lindsay Luetje said the students watched their last movie, “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” and had an ice cream bar. She said there was good representation from parents of incoming 6th graders for the PTA.

“I urge all of you to go,” said Murphy of the Maine School Management Association Fall Conference on Oct. 26 and 27, 2023, at the Augusta Civic Center.

He reminded members of the August 1 requirement for, “Letter of Intent for Board Chair.”
There are a set of questions for whoever is interested and the board will vote.

Daycare update

Murphy updated the group on collaborative efforts between the district and Community Concepts/Head Start to reopen a daycare. Bethel Early Learning Center on Cross Street closed on Feb. 24.

Said Murphy, “It’s very exciting … It has been a great collaboration. They have that expertise, that’s what they do … We have been moving along pretty quickly… Community Concepts is purchasing a four acre parcel of property on route 2, heading toward Gilead. The purchase and sale agreement was signed this week… they prefer not to release the exact address at this time.”

He said they are securing funding from Head Start in Boston for construction of a new building which will be designed to house two classrooms with a food service area and an office in the center. The acreage will allow room to expand. They plan to serve up to 28 children, ages 6 months to pre-school.

They expect the work to be completed by Jan 2024, subject to approvals and construction considerations. The contributions that they have solicited will go toward utilities and should cover the first few years – one received on May 17, is from Maine Community Foundation for $10,000.

Murphy said, “It has been a very productive and very positive process so far… We are going to continue to collaborate … This makes us stronger by going in this direction.”

Of the old wooden fence on the CPS upper field, “today we bulldozed it.”  It was unsafe said Murphy. A new chain link fence, with a safety guard along the top, is to be installed next week for $5,500.

Thanks board

Murphy thanked the board, specifically the members that are exiting, “You served during the toughest time that this district has ever faced… When you picked up a paper during COVID, you read about some terrible things happening at board meetings … At the end of the day people were respectful to each other…I have always had a good board to work with.

“As you know I lost Nancy [his wife] a couple years ago. It was important for me to be working here, it really helped … You always kept me busy… We showed our mettle (during COVID) Our staff was doing in-school and remote at the same time…

“Financially were in a great spot… We never had to borrow money … We have really good people here that work very hard. The story you have to tell is how good this district is. We have a great community.  I hope you have great success in your next journey. Thank you for the confidence. Throw down the gauntlet to Mr. Kenny. Tell him he’s got to go 23 years now. Support him, support him,” said Murphy.

Other business

They certified the actual votes to support the budget and approved the town assessments’ warrant and schedule.

Next they verified the number of votes received and sent the number to each of the municipal clerks within the district and the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education.

The board authorized the superintendent to hire new staff during the summer, as they do each year.

Before they nominated four individuals to a first probationary hearing for the 23-24 school year, CPS principal Tanya Arsenault spoke on the interview process. She said she and a wide array of teachers and administrators sit in on the interviews. They ask a series of questions and rank the answers. If there is no recommendation, they go back to the drawing board.

“It’s super important for the team members, the department, the teachers to have a voice in that … We check references,” said Lindsay Luetje. “It’s very thorough … It’s a good process,” said John Elliot.

Bartlett made a motion to approve all four candidates: Morgan Richmond, as Telstar High School English teacher; Regina Fiorentini as Telstar Middle School, Grade 8, social studies teacher; Heather O’Leary as Telstar Middle, Grade 7, social studies teacher; and Melissa Kilborn as  Woodstock Elementary School physical education teacher (part-time).

Murphy introduced Brandy Moore who was recommended for a two year contract to be Telstar Middle and High School dean of students.  She will earn $77,000 for first two years. $80,000 for each year thereafter.

Moore, Richmond, Fiorentini, O’Leary and Kilborn were all unanimously approved.

The board tabled appointing a delegate and alternate to the MSMA Annual Delegate Assembly (virtual) scheduled for October 21 until the August meeting with the flexibility of emailing Kenney if someone really wants it.

Beth Clark of Maine 4H Learning Center and Telstar Freshman Academy will be the new teaching principal for the Woodstock Elementary School for FY 24 and FY25. She worked in similar roles in Andover and at the Agnes Gray School. “Real solid addition. Being recommended for a two year contract. $73,590 with an additional $10,000 as a stipend for her to be available during summer. “She did a grant in outdoor education. She’s very involved in student literacy,” said Murphy. She was anonymously appointed.

The Board approved the second and final readings of Policy AC – Non-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and Policy BB – School Board Legal Status.

“Thank-you, have a good summer,” said Whitney as they adjourned.

The board does not meet in July.

Their next meeting is Aug 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Telstar Library.

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