RANGELEY — The RSU #78 Board of Education met on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School.  Board Chair Dr. Mary Richards welcomed two new student representatives, AuDrey Sutherland (class of 2027) and Natalie Alves (class of 2027), along with returning student representative Nichole Lemay (class of 2025). Dr. Richards also shared that Karen Seaman will step into the role of Vice Chair. Richards also praised Jeff LaRochelle and his team for all their hard work getting the building ready for Open House, which was held on Oct. 2.

The meeting began with a presentation from George Bernstein and Leeanna Wilbur about the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children. The presentation was on the new child development center that broke ground earlier this fall. The current plan is to have the facility complete and ready for licensure by July 2025. The center will provide licensed child care to community members at low or no cost, assist with school readiness, provide job opportunities, and extended care options including PreK wraparound hours for working families.

High school math teacher Rowenna Hathaway updated the board about the high school field trip to the Common Ground Fair in September. She also provided updates on the Quiz Bowl tournament the prior weekend. High school science teacher Darlene Woodman updated the board on the progress of the greenhouse project.

Superintendent Georgia Campbell shared that she is participating in the Regional Educational Collaborative of Northern Franklin County and will continue to report out after their meetings. Additionally Campbell, business manager Roxanne Tanner, and board member Deborah Ladd attended the annual legislative update meeting facilitated by Drummond and Woodsum.

Ladd and Campbell also attended the first Foster Career and Technical Education Center Advisory Board meeting at the Mt Blue Campus in Farmington. Lastly, Campbell shared that Open House went well with higher participation from middle school and high school families than in previous years.

Principal Seth Laliberte shared that middle school students had their annual team building trip. This year was at Tanglewood in Lincolnville. They had much better weather this year than last. Laliberte also gave a shout out to the high school team and students. They were able to offer senior privileges early and every senior met the requirements.

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Overall they are seeing higher engagement in the classroom and on the athletic fields. Lastly, Laliberte shared that Friday, October 11 is the first all-staff workshop and that staff will be participating in Run Hide Fight training at MSAD 58. All Northern Franklin County schools are taking this training.

Student representatives shared updates from Spanish class and cooking opportunities, fundraising for the Costa Rica trip in the spring, Senior Night on October 18, homecoming on October 26, further Quiz Bowl updates, and college and scholarship updates.

Committee reports included updates from Policy Committee, one new policy to adopt; Finance Committee, audit results are expected in November, new bus has arrived, and cash flow is tracking as anticipated; Facilities Committee, new kitchen equipment is installed and a new salad bar is coming, paving will be coordinated with the new child development center and is estimated to take place in the spring of 2025, the roof will need repair in the next few years and they are looking at estimates, and lastly looking at future bus replacements.

There was one appointment: Noah Greenlaw joins RLRS as the new IT Director. Greenlaw is new to education but has a great deal of experience in IT.

Action items included a unanimous vote to accept the pellet bid from Maine Wood Pellets, and a unanimous vote to adopt policy DJ-R: Administrative Procedure Federal Procurement Manual For Maine School Units Federal Procurement Manual. The discussion on stipends was tabled to the November meeting.

The next RSU 78 Board of Education meeting is on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School in the multi-purpose room.

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