The RSU #78 Board of Education met at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School on March 12, 2024 at 5:30PM.
Board Chair Dr. Mary Richards welcomed new board member Ryan Wilber, representing the town of Rangeley.
Superintendent Georgia Campbell reviewed the mission statement and goals for the 204-2025 RSU #78 operating budget. Full comments can be found on the Rangeley Lake Regional School’s YouTube channel. Dr Richards thanked board member Chris Farmer, the Budget Committee, RSU #78 administration and business manager Roxanne Tanner for their hard work keeping the budget reasonable while meeting student needs.
Dr Richards also shared that Police Chief Russell French has retired. He had a positive impact on our building and will be missed.
Superintendent Campbell also shared that RSU #78 was awarded a Maine State Literacy Grant in the amount of $11,800. This will cover the cost of an intensive, 30 hour foundational literacy training for all eight elementary teachers. RSU #78 was also awarded a McKinney-Vento grant which will support families in need. RSU #78 is still waiting for the Summer Programming grant.
Principal Seth Laliberte shared two recent successful events: the first annual dodgeball tournament, which was a fundraiser for the class of 2027, and the RLRS Talent Show, which was a fundraiser for the music and drama department. Principal Laliberte also shared that high school teachers Maryam Emami and Darlene Woodman have received a $25,000 grant for the new greenhouse. Student acco;ades from all areas were shared, including NTHS at Foster Tech and Scholastic Art Awards. Please see the Rangeley Lakes Regional School YouTube channel for the complete list.
Committee reports included updates from Policy Committee, policies will be voted on later as action items; Finance Committee, reviewed 2025-2025 budget. Public hearing will be June 4, 2024 at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School and the vote will be on June 11, 2024 at town and plantation offices; Facilities Committee, fuel tank installation slated for April or June, plumbing concerns continue, dishwasher replacement is in the works and hoping to install over April break; Negotiations Committee, has ratified the Support Staff Contract.
There were three appointments made: Seth Laliberte for middle school baseball coach, BJ Kennett for middle school softball coach, and Adam Varney for varsity soccer coach.
One nomination was presented to the board: Elizabeth Thompson for middle school/high school art teacher for the 2024/2025 school year. The nomination was accepted via unanimous vote.
There was one resignation: Simona Martin, middle school ELA teacher. Simone was a wonderful addition to our staff and she will be much missed. We wish her luck as she heads to the coast.
Action items included: chorus trip to Six Flags which passed with a unanimous vote; approval of the 2024-2025 RLRS Program of Studies which passed with a unanimous vote; 2024-2025 calendar which passed with a vote of 7-2; Calendar change for April 8, 2024 for RLRS to have a remote learning day, which passed with a unanimous vote; approval of the 2024-2025 RSU #78 Budget – $5,718,140.80, passed by unanimous vote; Adult Education – raise $14,413.59, passed by unanimous vote; School Nutrition Program – raise $ 20,000, passed by unanimous vote; Capital Reserve – raise and authorize to expend $100,000 for unexpected or emergency maintenance or repairs to Region School Unit facilities and equipment, passed by unanimous vote; and finally Open or Closed Budget Format – previously voted for Open format. Recommended that ALL articles be written in the Open format. (Note: Open format allows for budget articles to be amended up or down at the budget hearing. Closed format only allows for budget articles to be amended down). An Open Format was approved by a unanimous vote.
Policies approved were BCB-E – Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. Policies rescinded were IJNDB-R – Student Computer and Internet Rules. Policies revised were GCGA – Substitute Teachers and Educational Specialists, IJNDB – Student Computer and Internet Use IJNDB-E – Student Computer Lending & Usage Rules Contract.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 5:30PM at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School in the multipurpose room.
Please Note:
Public Hearing for the 24-25 RSU 78 Budget is June 4, 2024 at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School, time TBA
Voting is on June 11, 2024 at your local town or plantation office
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