FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 directors were presented last week with a list of what teachers and other education staff will be doing for professional development on late-arrival and early-release days.

It is a working document, Leanne Condon, assistant superintendent/director of curriculum, said.

There are 32 one-hour delayed start Wednesdays left this school year. There are provisions for supervision at the schools if parents need to bring children early.

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, district students will be released early because of the Farmington Fair. The next late-arrival Wednesday is Sept. 24.

In February, the board approved six early-release days for prekindergarten through fifth-grade students and two early-release days for the middle and high school students.

Four of the early-release days for the lower grades are on Fridays. The other districtwide early-release day besides Sept. 17, is Friday, Jan. 16, 2015.

The list of topics teachers will be covering on those days, runs from a Teacher Evaluation Committee overview scheduled for all schools on Sept. 24 to education and behavior topics and technology.

RSU 9 Vice Chairwoman Claire Andrews of Farmington asked if the list can be posted on the district’s website, www.mtbluersd.org, so people could see what is going on.

Administrators at the schools told the school board that teachers appreciate the professional development time.

Director Jennifer Pooler of New Sharon brought up some concerns her constituents shared with her about late-arrival days. She said one person said they make it difficult on parents because they have to go to work. He can be late once and the second time, he would be written up, she said. The next time, he could lose his job.

The idea of the late-arrival days is to provide for professional development opportunities for educators and not cost the district more money, he said.

The overall intent is to improve student achievement.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link