001like to welcome everybody to here in the chambers and watching from home to the regular meeting of the Bangor School Committee, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Um, if you are able to please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, our first item tonight is a recognition. We're very excited to hear about the NASA Tech Rise team. Superintendent Robinson. >> Thank you. The Bangor School Department and the Bangor School Committee would like to recognize William S. Cohen students and science teacher Margaret Pitrech for competing in the NASA Techrise Student Challenge. I'd like to call Principal Miss Burner up to say a few words. Thank
002you. >> Well, good evening, Chair Sheret, members of the committee, Dr. Robinson. It's with great pleasure uh that I stand before you tonight to recognize seven very talented students from the William S. Cullen School for their work, creativity, collaboration to design and submit a proposal to the NASA Techrise Student Challenge. The project that they submitted in November called Yeast to the Stars was one of 25 uh winners, if you will, a project selected from middle schools and high schools from across the nation, which is which is very very impressive. We are proud of our students for their tremendous accomplishment and equally as proud and appreciative of Mrs. Patra for guiding the students in their weekly future engineers meetings and work sessions after school. So congratulations to Jack, Aiden, Abby, Abram, Casease, Felipe, and Sherroth for
003their awesome work this year. I also want to mention we're very fortunate at William S. Con to have wonderful parental support of our school and our programs. I think that's representative representative here today. So parents, thank you for your support of of our afterchool programs in our school. Uh to provide more detail and context about this tremendous project and award, it's my pleasure uh to welcome and introduce Mrs. Margaret Petra, grade seven science teacher at the William S. Conan School. the speed drive. >> All right. Well, thank you so much for taking time to recognize these students. They are amazing. Um, I just wanted to start with a little background information from the NA about the NASA techrise student challenge. Um, it is and this is from their website, the future engineers website, a total
004of 60 winning teams. Um 35 suborbital spaceship and 25 high altitude balloon projects are selected each year. Well, I shouldn't say that each year. This year they kind of changes each year um to be to participate in this year's NASA Tech R student challenge. Each winning team will receive a prize package of $1,500 for supplies, a starter kit, including a flight box in which to build their experiment, and an assigned spot for a winning experiment on a NASA sponsored um either sorb orital spaceship or high altitude balloon flight. Uh the winning teams will also have access to technical support and weekly meetings with the future engineers experts during their experiment build. So on December 10th, I got a call from future engineers and I was in shock and I was like, "Oh my gosh." Hoping
005that this was a call to alert me that the team was chosen as winners and they were. So this was the second team from William S. Cohen. Uh they the first one was three years ago. I think they're sophomores now. Um and then two years ago the high school also had a proposal that won. Um and all of them I believe were high altitude balloons. Um in October the students came to an together answering a call for proposals. I just put it out there as this is the NASA tech rise. If you're interested come see us. And there was no guarantee that their projects is going to win and be selected to build. But each of them had the curiosity and determination to try. And what I think is quite amazing out of this group,
006there are four out of seven that attempted either in sixth grade and or seventh grade and did not get selected. And so this year they did. Um those students were Abby, Aiden, Felipe, and Jack. Um they had entered proposals either once or twice. Um this year they were joined by seventh graders, one seventh grader and two sixth graders. and after a month of working together put together a proposal called yeast to the stars. It doesn't quite go to the stars. It's just almost there. Um then the students attended uh the announcement presentation at the end of January. So this is a long long project. Um and they saw William Esco and listed as one of the 25 winning schools for the high altitude balloon project. Their eyes got big, their mouths dropped and you could
007just visibly see the excitement and just like what just happened? Um then the hard work began. The team met with TechRise engineers weekly. Okay, so one meeting with them, but then we also had a second meeting on our own. Um they met from January 26 to to May 15th to work on this project twice a week um to learn to code, solder, wire sensors, make wiring diagrams, mounting diagrams with several iterations uh to finally reach their design. Uh the project will track location, gases, temperature, UV radiation that the yeast is exposed to in order to see how the yeast is affected by the conditions. And the community connection part of this project was important. I think without it, we would not have gotten accepted. So there's a strict um rubric that you have to follow
008to get points. Um anyway, the community connection is that next year we'll include some of the yeast that goes up there in our seventh grade um fermentation lab um and compare it to the the yeast that is here on Earth. And also the group plans to share their findings with other students, bake some bread with these space yeast, space yeast and near space yeast that will take place during this coming year um since the project or their launch this summer. And I know we have some that are rising into freshmen, but maybe we can tap them back if they're around. Um, let's see. Uh, the project is planned to launch sometime either in July or August, depending on weather conditions, and we plan to organize a launch party to watch the project as we did
009before. They go up to 70 to 90,000 ft um before returning down to the Earth. Um, and they did everything on the project. I did not do anything except I ordered the materials. I facilitated I deliver delivered the project to FedEx and then it got sent to California for its final check. Um they're truly amazing students. I mean that you started in October, you heard about it in January, you worked all the way through May. That is really tough. Um anyway, the group present uh presented their project at a virtual national conference with other winning schools and that included high schools, included middle schools. There was one school from Guam. It was really cool. Um, and they made a threeminute video. So, their video is going to sell tell the rest of the story in
010their voice. I know that should be a touch. You put in something. Right. I appreciate the chest. How do you feel? Yes, you do. for those at home. Okay, >> I get it. Get it. You sure can. >> Great. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate that. >> You do it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You know, it's super awkward. >> I really appreciate you doing that. It's very intimidating. So, >> yeah, especially if you're like, "Oh, good. I already did it. I don't need to do it again. So, >> so when they presented in the virtual >> Oh, >> that's very cool. >> Yeah. accept Jacker experiment. Our experiment aims to test how the stratosphere during during we hypothesize that the yeast could die. After the experiment is done and trash to the stars to
011make bread each data. These 30ation 680 such as pressure etc. analyt awesome to our experiment. Those have changed size to prototype our experiment. We first made our plans as how to lay out the various experiment components. Then we made our prototype based on our plan with some changes that were dictated by sensor size. are the photos of the prototype design. This was Aby's slide to the wiring diagram. >> Our final experiment photos. Here are photos of our final experiment. In the images, you can see the be connectity. Our biggest lessons, favorite experiences were um we got a firsthand insight into what NASA engineers actually do >> and we discuss how much >> also argue the best part was to be on >> this is these are photos but lots of things and some of the
012favorites were solding that was a You see in there work together that's like >> All right. >> So, we have some certificates from the school committee and Bangor School department. So, I'm going to call up your name and we'll hand you the certificate. And I believe there's a photo afterwards. So Aiden, >> thank you. believe it. It's going to sing a also we have participation from Jack Bennett and Miguel Who knows? >> Aren't they great? >> Yes. >> We also have a certificate of achievement uh presented by the Bangro school committee and the Bangro school department to uh Mrs. Pra. And what I like to say, she mentioned a few minutes ago that she really didn't do anything. Um as you can see tonight, uh that's not really true. and just giving the students the
013opportunity, the space, the encouragement and all her knowledge uh as you know means a lot. So, so thank you Mrs. Peter from everyone come over here for a quick photo before the go. >> When are you going to bake the bread? rest. >> Thank you very much everyone. >> All right. Congratulations Okay. Um, thank you and congratulations again to the students, the families, and Mrs. Petra. Thank you so much. And apologies for the technical difficulties. Thank you for your flexibility. See you later. All right, we're moving on to adjustments to the agenda. Looks like we don't have any adjustments to the agenda this evening. So, moving on to public comments. Uh before we start public comments, I do have a statement to read. Members of the public may address the school committee for up to
014three minutes on school and education matters. Public comments shall be directed to the school committee and be brief and not repetitive. School committee's practice is not to respond or debate with speakers during the public comment period. We are here to listen. The superintendent or her staff will follow up on comments outside of the meeting as appropriate. The committee will not permit profanity or shouting and requests that speakers be civil. Discussion of specific personnel or student matters and complaints concerning specific employees or students will not be allowed but will be addressed through established policies and procedures. Before speaking, we encourage speakers to review school committee policy AC, which provides that the committee does not and will not discriminate nor tolerate discrimination against students or employees on the basis of membership in a protected class. Speakers who
015share comments contrary to this policy will not be allowed to continue. Before starting, please state your name and place of residence. We have anybody for public comment tonight? Thanks to the foresight of another mother requested by FOA the information on Fairmount in April, June has brought us information that this information was held by the administration until after the vote to relocate is deeply troubling. Let me summarize from that request any documentation that was used to evaluate the safety of the Fairmont building and to inform the decision to temporarily relocate students and staff. There are five report topics here. One on the asbestous in the skim coat which recommends patching the roof and adding that surface to the school management plan. The second document outlines $2,800 of additional testing on ceiling material along with a routine
016testing. There are receipts from county abatement to clean and encapsulate the exposed area for under $1,200. This is the report documenting leaks in the foundation recommending temporary cocking until repair and replacing 12 in of carpet along the walls in the music room, for example. Finally, water tests from 2022 that demonstrate the fill stations are working well and that new radon tests all came back with positive results. Nothing in these documents says to me the Fairmont building is a risk for the upcoming year. Fairmont is a historic building and it needs to be cocked and patched as buildings require regularly. In fact, this move to the high school appears substantially more expensive than patching appears to include the irony of removing lockers disturbing asbestous tiles and is a waste unless this is a pretense for something
017larger and far less temporary. Stop the lies. Stop the halftruths. Stop trying to move forward a hidden agenda. Stop conflating long-term repair expenses with short-term remediation. Stop pretending this relocation is critical. It is not too late to return to reason. I realize pushing reset can be painful, but this has to stop. There is no justification for this current path or panic. Keep the kids at an age appropriate facility. make a long-term plan with the community. Not just a secret plan with a few invited parents, but a bean supper, with all of Bangor to weigh in on paths forward to find a solution everyone can live with. It will be deeply unethical to put forth a plan developed over the winter as final without community input. I have no confidence in the current administration. to the
018school committee. You are the oversight. You hold the administration accountable. You protect our children, protect our institutions, and protect the dream of the future that you will not share, but are trying to push, but we need you to be honest and we need you to reset. Thank you. And for parents and community members, this is public information as is any written correspondence. And while it should be posted with the facts on the relocation page, you can request it by email from the administration or I brought extra copies. >> Thank you. Do we have others for Yes, please. >> Hello, my name is Dr. Katie Swaha and I live in Bangor. I have three children, two at 14th Street and one at Fairmont. On April 30th, the morning after Fairmont's closure was announced, I sent in
019a FOA request asking for the technical reports informing this decision. I did not receive those reports until June 3rd, 6 days after the school committee had already voted to move Fairmont. The documents I received do not appear to warrant immediate closure. As rushed decisions about Fairmont continue to be made, I have the following four requests. Number one, be as fully transparent as you are legally allowed to be at all times. The public deserves real data and reports as they come in. For example, tonight's packet states that plans for the playground area have been completed. I thus expect to hear tonight and see available on the relocation page tomorrow that plan in its entirety. The agenda also includes a strategic planning update. The public deserves to know exactly who is on the strategic planning committee and
020to see a draft of the strategic planning report now, not in three months. Number two, provide specific protocols rather than empty reassurances for how you address issues related to placing elementary school students on a campus, not just a building that has not been designed for them. For example, when I'm late to pick up my 9-year-old because I have to get my younger kids first, will she be waiting for me in a supervised and age appropriate place or next to a busy parking lot filled with teenage drivers? How will the administration respond when a high school student who has moved beyond their provisional license drives home their 9-year-old neighbor with good intentions but without parental consent? Number three, publicly address the needs and concerns of all Fairmont students and families. For example, what considerations are being
021made for students with special needs for whom this transition may be especially difficult? What supports will be in place for students who are deeply anxious about going to a new school with, as my daughter put it, the really big kids? What is your plan for addressing the concerns of family families who may face barriers to participating in standard forums for public comment? Number four, include student perspectives in ethical ways. Also on the superintendent's report for tonight is a suggestion that student representatives will be gathering student input to be used in facilities planning. Student input is important. However, as a qualitative researcher myself, I am deeply concerned about how the administration has gathered such input so far without consent or a clear research protocol. In order to collect student input ethically, you must have a public
022research protocol that includes at a minimum a justifiable sampling plan, clear procedures for obtaining parental and student consent, scripts for how participants will be assured of their right to stop participating at any time, plans for training student researchers, information about how the data will be protected and anonymized, and a framework for how the data will be analyzed and used. Information related to these four requests should be included promptly in an original form on the relocation page and via other channels so that families do not have to search for it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we have others for public comment tonight? >> Okay, seeing none, we'll move on to uh superintendent's proposals and updates. Looks like we have no action items tonight. Um we do have someformational items. The first is a facilities update.
023Superintendent Robinson. >> Thank you. Um, Director Hail has provided an update in your packet. Um, are there specific questions? I don't know if you want to summarize, Director Hail, anything in there. And, uh, we'll take questions on that. >> Thank you. Yes. Um so on an ongoing basis as we've said that we're going to give you updates on on how the process is moving forward and um the memo that is attached there lets you know a little bit more about where we're at currently and I will tell you that the the process is fluid dayto day. Um we are constantly the administrators um everybody in the planning process um trying to work out the millions of details that are included and uh trying to make sure everything is thought through before you know we execute
024any kind of plans. Um along with that letter that I gave, we do have our meeting that I said was within the next two weeks. We have that scheduled for tomorrow with the contractor and the engineers to um develop a solid plan so we can um figure out how we're going to uh work with other contractors and get a a deep insight of the the plan. Um we are we are looking at things from head to toe. Um as you've seen in the letter the more detailed letter from Carpenters Associates. Um, it's not as simple as painting a wall because if you paint that wall, you have to make sure that water is not going to leak onto that wall and ruin what you have done. So, um, it's going to take a a in-depth
025analysis of what to move forward with. We've even I've even consulted with a landscaper because there are some trees on the outside that are infiltrating the sewer lines and um through any kind of revitalization of the school we would need to that would be another thing to think about that people may not think about that landscaping is one of them. So, um, yeah, I can take any questions from you regarding the the memo and the updated opinion from Carpenters as well. >> Thank you, Director Hail. Do we have any questions for either Superintendent Robinson or Director Hail? Member Speed. >> Uh, yeah, just uh, one quick question. I saw some other hands come up, so give them a chance to ask questions as well. Um, the original $5.6 million estimate, did that include a contingency
026line? because the second one looked like it included a 30% contingency. >> You want me to answer that? >> Director Hail's been working. Um so the uh 30% cont so with the first letter from Scott Dunar we had met with him um I think three or four days before that meeting and we had asked him you know and that was our very first meeting preliminary and I said is there any way that you can pull out um an opinion just to give our our school committee some more information based on the facts that we already know and um also letting him know that we would let you all know that it was a very raw look at things and until we can um get in there and do more research. So, with that being said,
027that that number there, no, does not include what carpenters would have associated as a 30% contingency. >> Okay. >> Member Cook, please. I think that we um heard some doubts this evening about the extent of the uh repairs needed. And I'm wondering if this document that we're looking at will be made public so that for those who have those doubts, they can see what these experts recommended. >> Yes. And those again are the preliminary estimates, the timeline of events because as um I'm sure you're aware having a full assessment people h you know companies are booked out so we are having people do this preliminarily so that we have a rough estimate. uh we have a more detailed plan to occur over the summer and that the at our August meeting will be a full
028presentation of those findings but certainly um just with the the full knowledge that these are rough estimates we can certainly add those to the page um so that those can be viewed by the public member >> thank you very much thank you for this update Director Hail um a couple of questions um piggybacking off of member Cook's question is there um obviously you know resources like this that shares the information that we have access to it is available um in our packets online what is the timeline from this these decisions being made and information being shared to get those onto the website for availability because I do know that there's an entire page on our website now about the Fairmont school facility um changes and redirectives is there some sort of expectation we can put
029in place where we say, "Okay, this is information we've received. This is helpful information to sort of guide us along this process within 48 hours. This will be on the website. Is there something that we can say or something that we can figure out so that we at least know if things are coming out, we don't have to wait between school meetings to be able to access this?" >> I I think we can certainly add information as fluidly as possible. Um, I think you know, Director Finny is the person who uploads things to our web page and he is doing an amazing job with all of the things that he's doing. Um, covering all kinds of of events and and doing all that at this time of year. Yeah. Um, so certainly we aim to
030provide this information and make sure it's readily available as soon as possible and we can continue to do that. I mean, I think 48 to 72 hours is um is reasonable to the best of our ability. >> No, I appreciate that. I just think in um with the additional, you know, and continual questions that are going to come with this process, just being as transparent as possible and saying this is when information is going to be shared. This is what we have. So, it doesn't have to be like wait until the August, you know, schoolboard meeting. I know that that's not I just want to be clear that that is the expectation >> on the timeline that was just posted today and you you all have a copy of the reorganization timeline. We have some
031target dates. Um and one of in one of those indicates the bi-weekly communication. So in between meetings there'll be at least one communication of updates as uh we progress through the summer. So that is listed there because I do agree regular communication is always best. >> Wonderful. Thank you for reiterating that. Um, and lastly, I believe this question is likely for Director Hail. Um, I know in your update you shared that Carpenter and Associates is, if I'm understanding this correctly, typically the firm that we use um for all of our engineering. Is the expectation that the Fairmount um process or you know um updates will be made by Carpenter? Is it going out to bid? Are we looking with Dunar? we have all these names and individuals that you've met with that, you know, I'm
032I'm interested to know what that process is going to look like so that we know which numbers to look at and really which ones to dig into. >> Um, and I think that's very important to uh identify is that you know, initially our director of physical plant does the broad the overview and um then there's things that are out of his purview. So that's when we hire a contractor to kind of oversee the entire plan and make sure that um all the little things that we may not think about or the things inside the walls or the foundation, you know, um that those are all addressed and uh working with Carpenters, they've been a longstanding partner of the Bangor School Department. So uh it only made sense to have them work with us on this
033because they know our buildings. they know them very well. Um there will be potentially other engineers that we reach out to. Um you know there's there's every type of engineer as many know that you know may have different expertise in different levels as well as um we will reach out to contractors like plumbers who are experts in that. So and typically when you're gathering quotes or data um you don't put out things out to bid per se. Um but we will obtain opinions from many many different experts and um then if the process is voted to move forward with revitalization then everything would go out to bid. Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Yep. Member Spike. >> Thank you. Uh could could I asked the superintendent just to just reiterate the communications plan on
034this because I am sure there's lots of people that are curious about this topic that don't know where the memo is and I I'm uncomfortable with the dynamic here that we have this memo in our packets and we're not really like talking about what the what the updates are and maybe you could provide an update on the communication and just maybe like a 30,000 foot view of what has been happening and >> absolutely I don't know where these things are on the website. Like I I I I can see our agenda and I'm obviously like highly engaged with this, but if somebody's falling from a plane, they need a little slip of paper that says pull this cord. They don't need a link to a website to something that might be up 72 hours later.
035I just want the communication to be so abundantly clear and positive. And I just don't like the dynamic right now of it's in our packets but we're not really talking about it. It'll be on the website eventually. People are like very thirsty for information on this. is the very first >> this memo >> this temporary reorganization >> and the memo from tonight >> I have >> so so the memo from tonight our our communication has been to provide the school committee with the information first and then share it off to the public. Um that has been kind of the process unless there was something super pressing. This information um is going to go on the website. I can provide you with an update from our last committee meeting um met meeting met with contractors. Um
036we've had a lot of um meetings with our administrators to ensure that this transition is going to work as best as possible uh with our staff and making sure that they're comfortable with the um relocation as we progress through the summer. So, a lot of meetings have been walking through the buildings, discussing spaces, ensuring that um there is going to be plenty of space in lower A wing for Fairmont students and staff, which has all been confirmed. And then there is some construction along with that. So, that's being determined at this point. Um and that is, you know, plans for the playground have been completed. Um and that is uh that site preparation work is being prepared at this point. Um and I think the other updates that director hail said I could reiterate those
037um that we are working with the contractor and um over the summer we'll have a more detailed analysis of Fairmont so that that can be presented in August. Um, as information is available, we can, as uh, member Brighten requested, um, update the website every 48 to 72 hours as information becomes available. Um, and then through the summer, we will have uh, bi-weekly communication. So in between each meeting because we also have less meetings um communication will go out with an update. >> Thank you. Any other questions for Director Hail or Superintendent Robinson on this item? Member Speed. Uh yeah, I just wanted to um reflect back at the workshop that we held where we actually had a chance to um look at the 5-year capital maintenance and improvement plan that was provided. I thought that
038was insightful. And looking at the um 2019 study as well for the estimates for the plans that were presented, I think that would be helpful to have some context to to what that that process was. I I don't know, Chair Serret, if you were on the school committee during that that time or that presentation, but um I'm curious what was what was the take of of the the school committee in 2019 based on those options that were presented? >> Well, that's a long time to reflect back. What what specific questions did you have? >> Well, when we look at Well, this is something that's actually on the information page for the Fairmont um um reorganization plan. And so looking at uh option one to to look at working on the schools in place. So in
039other words, um I think option one looked at what would it cost to maintain the schools, the community schools that the Pangor community cherishes, and that was at $80 million. Option two was $116 million and looked at um having preK through two and then a citywide consolidation of 3 through five and 6 through 8. And option three was 118 million. But that the only difference there was prek through three, four through five and six through eight. And so this is a study that's on the fair reorganization page. I'm wondering if there's any context with what the committee decided with that information what to do. And granted, I understand 2019. There's a lot going on that that year into 2020 um right before the pandemic. So um >> yeah I can speak from my from my
040recollection what the committee seem the consensus seemed to be around moving toward a plan where the prek2 the prek3s became prek2s. Uh a large uh addition was made to the James F. Dowy school and that became a citywide 3 through5. A large addition would have to be added onto the William S. Cohen school and that would become a citywide 6 through eight. that at the time and again this is seven years ago there was consensus or some consensus among the committee on that being uh a path to pursue at some point in the future. You know granted the funding would would come in from the state which is a an immense challenge. >> Just to follow up that so so you're saying that the consensus was option option three. >> Yes. the pre-K. >> Well,
041that that one that had the most momentum, I would say, among the committee at the time, seven years ago, >> right? And that's I mean, obviously the 80 million is option one and so I could see that there might be some attraction to that to to work on the buildings in place because it's actually the cheapest option, right? It's not the cheapest, but it's the least affordable option. Um, and so I'm just wondering from that point to here, how do we how do we not progress forward to option three? How do we not pro? >> Right? If option three was the consensus, why is there seven years between that study and where we are at today? >> Because there was never a there was never a state bond. >> Okay. Yep. We were never put
042on the top of the list. >> Yep. Okay. That's good. It's just good context to know, you know, not being on the committee at that time. And so then the I brought up the 5-year capital maintenance improvement plan between 2020 and 25. Now keeping in mind option one estimated $80 million between 2020 and 2025. Um $20.9 million was spent on building uh on building repairs and then $135.9 million um is estimated for additional needs. Um am I reading that correct? Yeah. >> Yeah. When you when you look at all of the plans and and all of the estimates for for the maintenance, I did some ma math and and added up the numbers and and that's what it came out to that we've spent um in five years, well, six years, $20.9 million in projected
043cost would be 135. And of course, some of that includes the uh $ 8.5 million towards Fairmont School, including some but not all the recent estimates, right? The building needs um and other schools as well. So, um yeah, so I just wanted to bring that to light um and get some, you know, just kind of wrap my head around that information. Both of those documents have been presented to us, so I'm just trying to gather some context for those. you have context for this? >> Did you? >> Yeah, please. >> Please. >> So, um, with the capital improvement plan that you're looking at that's presented for the five-year planning. >> Um, in my short time here, I've, you know, gotten to know that document a little bit. And um it does outline all the projects
044that have been completed in all the schools based on any kind of um engineered projects. So as long as they were engineered with carpenters and then I think also um between the changing of director physical plant and stuff uh we're really trying to get any projects put onto that plan. But I think over the summer with the strategic planning process, that's something we're very very hopeful in in like squaring down what the future of any of our buildings um you know what we need and having a solid plan. So then when you look at the the um estimated projects for any of the schools in that plan, those could be several years old. Um, so there may have been an engineered project uh three years ago to do a specific project at Fairmont, let's say,
045but since then these things have happened. So that project is either not in the plans anymore or um the market value has changed significantly. So the price is not the same. But I'll and that sounds like well why don't we update the plan because every time we have any of these projects um engineered the cost of that is about1 to $2,000 just to have them look at the project. So, you know, we're trying to be mindful of that as well. And then, um, you know, make sure that we're getting projects listed on these that are actually going to happen because if we continuously reach out and get, u multiple things engineered and then don't follow through with that, it's not very uh responsible way of using the money, I suppose. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I
046think I think the essence of the question really is um is it sustainable to keep our older bu older buildings open or should we look to a long-term plan that consolidates the buildings and campuses? I mean I think that's the essential question and would that be helpful to come to that answer um as a body as a committee um as you progress through the summer, right? I'd hate for you to get to August and to to have a plan and then and then realize, oh, we needed to have an answer to that essential question. >> That would certainly be helpful. However, I think that gathering all of the information first, I think, is the is has been my understanding that that's what the committee desires to be able to make an informed decision with the
047current with the the you know current market values and current conditions of the buildings. So that's how I plan to proceed is gather all that information during the summer, present it in August. Um, and then knowing that that is a tight timeline. So certainly, I mean, we're not coming to a decision. Um, I'm sure everyone is not yet, but I'm sure everyone is thinking about, you know, what that process might look like, what might be best moving forward preliminarily and then being ready in August because any work that needs to be done needs to be bid out by November of this year for the summer work. So, that's a pretty tight timeline and we will need to make some significant decisions um come the next couple of months. Thank you. Member Cook, >> I think
048Fairmont on the state's list of um priority schools is in the 20s. Is that correct? 26 maybe. >> It might be. >> Yeah. The >> It's down there. >> Yeah, it's down there. But the data or information submitted that classified us as somewhere in the 20 range, might that change with this new assessment? I know that we probably won't be in top one or two, but just wondering if it might put us closer to where Mary Snow is. Well, the whole process, um, we would need to reapply again for the needs assessment. Um so that uh lengthy application process was done when I think a little prior to my arrival. Um it had been voted on in um if I recall August of 24 and then that process funnels through the state. They assess all
049of the applications and if that um application is accepted they come out and do the site visit which is what happened. Um, so that would be a multi-year process again for us to redo that. Um, my the information I've received as I've, you know, talked with, um, people at the state level for school funding is it's frustration across the state. And, um, the first two projects that are on that list are being funded. And if anything devastating like a fire or something like that happens, it trumps anything you know and then that school gets addressed. So um our MSMA MSSA organization who um oversees and supports the superintendent and connects you know with legislators um has kind of indicated you know if you're not on the even waiting on the list. So, um, and in
050my previous role, to me, um, personally and professionally, my experience here in Maine has indicated that if we really want to do something, we can't wait for the state. We need to make a determination within the community, within the funding um, sources that we can, you know, pull together um, and then make that decision. Uh, because it's a and even getting the funding, it can be a 10-year process. Other questions for Director Hail or Superintendent Robinson? Member Bryen, please. >> Thank you. Um, out of curiosity, um, when is the timeline for ED, like the Fairmont staff to be able to go in, see the rooms? I know there's obviously a lot of changes that need to happen in the actual footprint, but in terms of being able to say like, okay, this is how where
051my classroom might be, where music might be, where the books might go, all of those things that I think there's a lot of questions about. I think having the staff especially, like, you know, you're thinking about them preparing for their next year, thinking over the summer what resources and things they need to pull together um for their classrooms. What does that timeline look like? And has that been determined yet? So, we're still um determining the exact time and dates that that might be available. Um we just solidified the maps yesterday. So, um you know, this is a fluid situation and you know, with everything all of the regular school events, yeah, occurring. Um and then also knowing that um construction needs to happen within that lower A- wing. So, right, um, you know, there has
052been discussion about getting staff in there at a time, um, that's reasonable before the end before the summer. It would potentially be before the, um, the construction starts, but then certainly, uh, by the end, you know, prior to the return, >> yeah, >> there would be that opportunity come to come in as they normally would to set up their classrooms. >> Thank you. And can so sorry just blame my brain and this humidity but the maps that you said are where is that like the footprint of the school? Sorry can you clarify what you mean by the maps were done? >> Yes. Um they have been um confirmed ju just to determine who's going where type of thing. Okay. Um, and I know there had been requests to put that up on the website. Um,
053based on our safety plan and um, the specifics with knowing too much information about who's where and what students are there, I've consulted with um, Director Fine and our safety coordinator. That is not a recommendation in terms of safety. Um, >> but that's being communicated internally to ensure that people are, >> you know, >> feeling as best as they can. I mean, it's been, as you know, a very stressful situation for our staff. Um, and now coming to the end of the school year, you know, and we having the vote um conducted at the end of May is, you know, it's a tight timeline. No, I I appreciate that and I know that, you know, obviously just having to hold the end of the year celebrations and excitement and all of the great things that
054happen, especially when you're moving on after fifth grade to middle school. I'm just so grateful for our staff and the amazing staff that we have that are holding that while simultaneously wondering um so many things in their head. So, I appreciate you sharing with me any additional information you have. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Thank you. Any uh final questions for Director Hail or Superintendent Robinson? All right. Let's move forward. Um next we have Superintendent's update. Superintendent Robinson. Um so you have a copy of the um the timeline and that is um up on the Fairmont web page at this point. Um in terms of schools and programs as member Bryen just spoke of we've had some amazing celebrations um certainly graduation as our culminating event uh this past weekend uh went over
055very well. We had senior salute, alma mater march, um just some really great opportunities for students to be celebrated and recognized for all of their achievements. Um in terms of the reorganization, um I had met with um our city manager who I meet with regularly and she had uh she connected me with the executive director from the Stephen King Foundation. So, I'm um working on scheduling a meeting with her to um potentially see if there is funding available to support this transition. Um they expressed some interest. Uh they're not 100% certain, you know, what that might look like. Um but I'm exploring that option. Um I have talked with um some student representatives um and connected them with uh member VJ um to gather some input um from the students and make sure that we
056can gather you know that input throughout the um throughout this process. Um I met with two freshman girls who interviewed me about this and um you know they had some really great questions about the process. So, we're really looking to just keep them informed as the reorganization happens. Um, and uh that was a really a really um great interaction with the kids. Um, in terms of our budget, uh, we had our June 8th meeting um, just uh, on Monday. Director Hail and I were here. First reading went through very well. Um, the final vote is June 22nd. Um and we're hopeful that they will pass our budget. Um with everything else in terms of strategic planning, um I am finalizing a flowchart to um clarify this process. There is uh another there is a web
057page as well that talks about what has happened over the fall from our strategic planning process. Um, so I just want to verbally go through that and please know that that will be updated as well. Um, we had last fall we had focus groups set up. Um, we've worked with again uh the affiliates with Maine Education and Research Policy Institute, Jennifer Chase and her colleague Kathy. Um, in November we had onboarding. We had a recruitment team of approximately 30 uh people that ranged from students to staff to administrators to community members, members from the city of Bangor. Um and that was on November 21st. They all were recruited to be part of the gathering of uh participants in our listening sessions. uh this whole research process followed uh the IRB process for gathering data. These
058um women who are in charge of this are professional researchers. Um so December the invitations went out, January and February uh we had a over 130 people participate in those listening sessions and those um researchers have been working on and and then we held they held a um sensemaking sessions in February where uh participants were invited back to clarify anything that needed clarifying and then February through April um and into May has been that analysis. Um Jennifer Chase is going to be presenting that draft analysis on the 24th of this month and also provide that will be an opportunity for the committee to um provide some feedback. Um from there there will be a uh retreat group um formed from those participants again ranging from community members, administrators, teachers, students and families. Um and from
059there the priorities will be identified. Um it's not to say that it can't be modified. This is just a collective process including as many people and voices as possible. Um and then we are looking to partner with a um an external consulting leadership consulting group that can help to carry that process through the internal determination of how are we going to address these priorities that have been identified by the wide range of stakeholders that participated in these listening sessions. Um so from there um the aim or the goal is to have a roadmap for the next five years including facilities because of the facilities challenges that have presented themselves after these listening sessions. uh this external consulting group will be brought in to gather more voices, oversee those community um sessions where we can gather
060feedback specifically around the facilities so that we have a solid plan of what needs to happen. And um as um member speed mentioned um I I don't think we're in a position to table it again for a number of years. I think we need to come prepared and ready to make some important decisions that are going to uh lead to the future of the Bangor School department in a way that is educationally sound and fiscally responsible. So, um I'm really hopeful that this plan will come together and provide that roadmap because as was discussed here, we have committee member rotation. Fortunately, I think you're the only one really that would have been there in 2019. So, things get lost. So, we need things documented. We need decisions to be made and we need plans to
061move forward. >> For the report, >> uh just the cell phone policy changes. We're working on that. We've worked really hard as a team. I'm I'm finalizing that memo to go out to um first to the staff to reiterate what those expectations will be. Um again, these are there's no personal devices um that are going to be allowed anything that connect to can connect to uh the cellular network um from Belltobell starting next school year. So that is going to be a little bit of a change for some um but we are um confident that it will work out with the uh strategies and implementation. Um and and having done what we did last year, um we feel like we're in a good position. Um especially at the high school with um those boxes already
062working really well, hiring a lot of uh amazing people and also um some of some which are here today and we're planning summer leadership retreats and then of course um continuing with our endofear DOE reporting. >> Thank you. Questions for Superintendent Robinson. member speed. Uh, member Spreg, >> thank you. Uh, appreciate the updates. I know it's a very busy time of year for everybody, so I know there's a lot of hard work going on. I appreciate it. Um, the one comment I want to make about the facilities is that it's not really just the facilities question. It is a fabric of the community. What type of community do we want to be? There is immense interest in this topic that is going to have to be discussed and decided. And I know that we've engaged
063the community through the strategic planning sessions. I appreciate that. But there are immense swats of people that have not been involved with that that are not completely following this that will want to be engaged and a part of the discussion about what we do with our neighborhood schools. It is a key part of the DNA of our community. And I don't have the answer. I don't none of us do. But it's a big conversation and it's going to feel rushed. It can't be rushed. It has to be a thoughtful decision under the time constraints and the pressures that we have. My only other request is I'm I'm not trying to be contrarian or technologically dense here, but I want a link to the Fairmont information page on the school department main page because I have
064been continually going to what I thought was the main page and it's dated. It is on the main page and I I I'll talk offline about this, but it takes me to a letter from you from May talking about the listening sessions and the surveys. I could not navigate without help to the Fairmont resource page. I think it's probably just a question of like a broken link or a it's a it's funneled into the news section. >> Director Finny can probably speak to that a little bit better. >> I don't mean to call out on the spot, but web page at the bottom. >> Uh >> yeah, and I was just gonna sorry to interrupt. I was going to throw it before you not there's not >> there is I did it but I will
065say that it is convoluted and it is difficult to find and if I was a parent >> I would click on that thing that's on the front page as it should be that's on the homepage and then when I saw that it wasn't the information I would be like there but it's like the third down link in that letter. It is we can adjust that. So, I would recommend with what member spread is saying, >> I also created a post on every school department's web page with a picture of Fairmont School with the link to that page. So, it is on all of our social media accounts, is on all of our live feeds of every school department uh school as well as the school department's page. >> So, I just recommend doing what he
066was suggesting. you click on that news link. The first link is a feedback video. The second is the web page. The third is survey. And the fourth is a copy of the school committee video. >> Okay. I do see it at the bottom, but I I'm not just being contrarian. I couldn't >> I understand. >> Thank you. >> I would have to remove one of the schools to actually put it on the page. I mean, what I would do is take that the the main page link and make that the thing as opposed to going to the letter to going to I understand why it's that way, but >> could you explain that? >> I think the letter is popping up because it's comes up as news and that's a feature of the website to
067have news. So, I think what you're asking is to have a section dedicated to this and maybe that letter could be moved elsewhere so people don't automatically click that news feature. >> Just fewer clicks to get to the good stuff. >> Could it also just be that the news is in case you missed it, here's the web page. Even though it does in the letter say web page. I do. Um I think yeah, just you know when you click on that you think you're going to get that robust site with all of the FAQs and the links. >> I appreciate you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um >> member Luciano, >> I would just like to say I've sat here and Googled every possible combination of Fairmont closed, Fairmont school, Fairmont not open, Fairmont
068Bangor Maine, and every single one the first link is Fairmont temporary relocation link from the district. >> Thank you. All right. Any other questions for Superintendent Robinson? Yeah, member Biden. >> Just while we're on the subject of websites, I do know that there are some questions about what the strategic plan was, how that was developed. If you were not actively watching every other week this winter, um, and you missed it, there is a very robust web page for that as well, which I very much appreciate. that has all of the different surveys that were shared with each different community group that was involved, what that process looked like, um what's happening afterward, which I I greatly appreciate. Um I know that the audio files that are being evaluated and will be shared with us on
069June 24th um sort of aggregate that data in some really beautiful ways. Is there a plan to put that any of that data on here as well just as a means of a continued opportunity for folks if they don't have the bandwidth to participate in the um in these sessions more meaningfully with their time they could at least go like oh I get a a snapshot of what was collected what information was shared what they're working on >> yes um Jennifer will come with a presentation that we can add to the website >> thank you so much thank you >> members for speed. >> You know, I I just want to applaud the uh community focus groups um that were conducted and the work that was put into that. I think it's a a wonderful
070process and I appreciate the not only not only the process but bringing in folks um that you know follow an IRB process um that we see on college campuses for public research projects. Um I also want to applaud having uh students uh rep have their voices heard and represented which I think is important. Um so a couple of questions along those lines. One, do we have um a process similar to the RB process uh particularly when information will become public um uh for those students that are under 18 years old. And then also uh a second question is for the July 17th and 18th work groups. I'm I'm imagining that there's a process that um includes those folks who have attended the uh focus groups up to this point, have gone through the IRB process,
071have um you know been invited to come back this summer to round things out. Um and there's a reason for them to be included and not necessarily to open it up to new participants, >> right? And that's really just to um pull out those key priorities again as kind of a a a 30,000 foot view of these are the big topics that need to be addressed in the strategic plan. In no way is the small group that's meeting in July creating the strategic plan. That has to be a collective effort that incorporates um internal groups and also gets additional feedback particularly with um the facilities questions. >> Great. into member Sprag's point, the broader community will be included in that broader search. Absolutely. And so to the my first question of the >> research protocol
072when we include students voices that are under 18, what is our our protocol and process? >> Yeah, that that process was followed. The students that participated in the listening sessions um those that IRB process was followed. parent participation. I mean, parent um approval was gathered prior to their uh participation. Um and they had the, you know, the statement. They could opt out at any time. All of that was part of those listening sessions that occurred over the winter. >> Any other questions for Superintendent Robinson? I'll just add one thing. I had the real honor of attending the Bangor High School graduation this uh past Saturday. had the opportunity to individually congratulate the 265 uh graduates that walked across the stage and it was just a a real honor and a privilege and I want to
073thank uh Principal Butler uh Director Finny and and everyone involved in pulling off such a wonderful event. Thank you. >> All right, next we're moving on to report of reassignments. Superintendent Robinson, >> I'm reporting the following reassignments for the 2627 school year. Angela Lundy, special education teacher. Mary Snow resignation. Excuse me. Following resignations. Angela Lundy, Ron Valencia, spring track coach. William S. Cohen School. Jay Kebell, girls varsity soccer coach, Bangor High School. >> Thank you. So now moving to reassignments. >> Yes, I'm reporting the following reassignments for the 2627 school year. Jane Freeman from project transition teacher at Bangor High School to resource room teacher at Fairmount School. Anna McDonald from special education teacher at Mary Snow School to special education teacher at William S. Cohen School. Scott Wood from physical education teacher at Fairmont
074School to physical education teacher at Fruit Street School. >> Thank you. Uh moving on to our business action items. First the minutes. So, we have a workshop meeting from May 19, 2026. Superintendent Robinson, >> I'm recommending approval of the draft minutes of the May 19th, 2026 workshop. >> Can I have a motion? Oop, sorry. >> School committee meeting and the May 28th, 2026 regular school committee meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? Member Cook. >> I'm just going to abstain from that vote because I was not present. >> Thanks. Any other questions? Member Spreg, you >> don't actually have to abstain. You're putting your faith in the meeting. Minute taker. >> All right. We'll we'll leave that up to member Cook. >> All those in favor? >> 70. Thank you. >> All right.
075Moving on to personnel. Uh we have some administrator nominations. Superintendent Robinson. I'm recommending the following administrator nominations for the 2026 2027 school year with a one-year probationary contract. Sabrina Illingworth, assistant director of pupil services for our early childhood uh CDS process and Linda McDonald, assistant director of pupil services. >> Can I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions or discussion? I would like to um call our um new director Jeannie McAlpine forward to say a few words about our um new hires. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay, I think I can be loud enough. Um I'm excited to announce Sabrina as the new we're trying to figure out her full title, right? So, the assistant of special educ early special education. Um she comes with lots of of experience from CDS
076working with uh three-year-olds to 5-year-olds, which is exactly what we're looking for um in this early childhood um new role that we're having together. So, we're really excited to have her. I'm just excited to be here. This whole transition is going to go. So, >> thank you so much for joining us and welcome. >> And I'm also excited to be able to introduce Linda. Linda will be the uh new assistant of pupil services. She comes with lots of experience at the high school um being able to run IEP meetings, write written notices, and reach out to families. So excited to have her as well. >> Thank you so much. Thank you for those introductions. Any other questions or discussion? All those in favor? >> 70. Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to teacher nominations.
077We have new teachers for 2026 2027 school year. Superintendent Robinson. >> I'm recommending the following teacher nominations for the 2026 2027 school year with a one-year probationary contract. Margaret Goritz, special education teacher, Vine Street School. Jennifer Robishau, grade five teacher, Mary Snow School. Holly Rand, special education teacher, Down East school. Walter Stanley, grade four teacher, Fairmount School. Tyreek Rose, grade five teacher, Mary Snow School. Allison Bernard, special education teacher, Down East school. >> Can I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions or discussion? >> I would like to invite um principles to say a few words about um the teachers that they are bringing on board. So we can start with principal >> Sweat. >> Thank you very much. Um we're excited to have Maggie join us at Fein Street School.
078Um she's coming with a variety of experience. She's been an edtech. Um she's been a director of a camp. Um she is currently a second grade teacher. Um who is working on her special education degree through Farmington and we're happy to have her and excited to work with her next year. >> Thank you. Principal Lord. Yeah. And you have two people, so you can you can do both. Yeah, that would be great. Yes. Thank you. >> Yeah, we don't >> we won't do the back and forth. >> Okay. Uh thank you. Um I'm excited to um for two people to be joining Mary Snow. Um I have Jenny Robishau um who has taught at 14th Street. Um actually have lots of experience working with Jenny. Um she she and I work together closely. she I
079was her literacy coach when she was a first grade teacher there. Um Jenny is very cognizant about her data using that and she's also looking very much to grow in her profession. Um loved having a literacy coach in her classroom. So that's exciting because um she'll carry that over to Mary Snow. And then I also have Tyreek um who's been working at Mary Snow for the last six months um as an edtech in one of our programs there. He's a recent graduate of Husten where he played football um and then concentrated in elementary education. He's um amazing with the students. So, he's patient, he's kind um caring, and they like gravitate to him. So, I'm excited to see what happens when he's in a fifth grade classroom. >> Thank you for those introductions. Uh >>
080Principal Vickers We are excited to have Holly Rand join us. She is currently in attack at Abraham Lincoln and we're excited to welcome her into a special education teaching role. Um and then we are also excited to have Allison join us. Um she has a master's in special education and a wealth of experience at the elementary level in special education and early childhood. Thank you. >> Thank you. And Dr. Thank you for giving me a few minutes tonight. Um, I'm pleased to and very excited that Walter Will Stanley will be uh a fourth grade teacher here at Fairmont. He currently fills the position in the interim role. Uh, and he's done a great job. Uh, Will is not only a Bangor High graduate, but a UMO graduate and currently lives in Bangor. So, he has
081strong roots here in the community. uh when doing his references, people were both colleagues now were excited to always go into his classroom as well as seeing all the work that he was doing. And one of his references from uh his college professor put it greatly in saying he has the soul to work with young children. So we are very excited to have Will as a permanent um teacher here at Fairmont. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion or questions? All those in favor? >> 70. Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to extra duty assignments. Superintendent Robinson. >> I'm recommending the following extra duty assignments for the 2026 2027 school year. >> Thank you everyone for coming. >> Thank you and welcome. >> Welcome. >> I'll read that again. I'm recommending
082the following extra duty assignments for 2026 2027 school year. Katherine Cullenberg, assistant cross country coach, Banganger High School. Donald Herb, JV, boys basketball coach, Bangor High School. >> Have a motion. >> So moved. Second. >> Any questions or discussion? All those in favor? >> 70. >> Next we have donations. We have member speed sharing donations. Member Speed. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh donations uh for this meeting include to the Fair Mount School from Moe's original barbecue dinner vouchers for families having a total dollar value of $500. To the William S. Cohen School from Willie Law Offices and the Willie family, a cash donation to support students at the dance having a total dollar value of $1,500. And thank you very much for these generous donations. And I move to accept. >> I'll second. Any questions
083or discussion? All those in favor? >> 70. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Moving on to uh first reading of revised policy. Superintendent Robinson. Oh, and first, sorry, do we want to take these all together or do we want to pull any of them out? Me? Yeah. Member speed. >> Yeah. I was hoping we could pull out the cell phone uh and electronic devices. >> So, do we want to just Sure. I'm recommending approval of the first reading of revised policies. Revised policy BEDH, public participation at school committee meetings. Revised policy GCSA, employee electronic device and internet use. Revised policy JIC, student code of conduct. >> I have a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions or discussion? Member Cook. >> I just wanted to thank the policy committee and Dr. Harris
084Smemedberg for revisiting the code of conduct. I think that it is a wonderful improvement and really reflects sort of what we stand for here at Bangor School department. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you, Member Cook. Member Brighten. >> Thank you so much. And um I really appreciate member Cook's recommendations just from their work at uh the DOE and then also being able to incorporate um some of the recommendations that came from UTC. We had a pretty vibrant conversation um with Dr. Harris Medberg and our committee um and also our director of civil rights Dana Carver Baller just to ensure that what the the changes that were made were as inclusive as possible but also very culturally sound so that there was no room for interpretation especially when we have expectations about what behavior
085looks like and how could we possibly say what that means on a single sheet of paper and think that it applies universally. So uh universally so it was um so you can see that those recommendations are reflected in the changes. You'll also see um for policy BH the public participation that was changed from comment which we read which you'll now have to say public participation um chair uh uh to ensure that all of those changes are reflective not only on recommendations from MSMA but also in response to recent litigation and ever evolving first amendment considerations. Um and then lastly, the policy GCSA um that was also reviewed and updated to align with MSMA language. And again, I just want to you to see that the changes that were made were also reflective of the fact
086that we recognize that our teachers and staff and administration have multiple hats that they wear throughout the day. So being as generous and as flexible while also really making sure that we are as safe and professionally minded as possible. All of those recommendations are included and reflected in those updates. Um again, you'll see most of the major changes though are based on MSMA guidance and the changes that we have to make. And then obviously um policy JICJ which we pulled out. We'll we can talk about that because that is reflective of law that is now um updated. >> Thank you. And thank you for all of your your work on policy and also assistant superintendent uh Harris Smmedberg. It's a lot of work. Any other last questions? Member Cook, >> I do have two questions
087about GCSA, employee electronic device and internet use. The first is, do we issue laptops to our education technicians? >> They do not have No, they do not have um devices specific. Uh, and then secondly, would it be wise in this policy, and I don't I'm I'm sure it's not in MSMAS, but um I know everything is pretty much cloud-based now. Um, but I don't think I don't see any language here about conducting school business on schoolisssued laptops and not on personal devices. And I'm wondering if that might be something we consider integrating into this policy. >> Can I speak to that? >> Yeah, please. Um, thank you so much for bringing that up because we did speak about um that issue of you being able to balance personal and school issued. We were very thoughtful
088about how that would look in terms of the the device that you use in your classroom and your phone um your phone in any sort of technological device that connects to the internet while you're on campus. Um I do think that the policy committee has been really um awesome in the number of meetings that we have and ability to revisit these. So I absolutely I know Dr. Harris Medber isn't here today but speaking for member O'Kee and myself I'd be happy to revisit that um just to have clarity around it. It's this one is I think a very super duper fine line of where do we not micromanage an adult's professional day but also ensure that there is maximum safety um in every capacity and so while I do think that there was a lot
089of thought put into what was changed I cannot speak to the actual devices um or a laptop device outside of a cell phone use so um I'd be happy to revisit that thank you >> thanks member bride And any other questions on these three policies? Member Speed. >> Yeah, just looking at policy BEDH, public participation at school committee meetings. Um, you know, it's been it's been wonderful to have public comment um these last several months. Um, and I know that we have a timekeeper for for uh keeping things moving along. Uh, I think it's a three minute mark and and there's a cap, correct? A one hour uh of the meeting that we can take for public comment. >> I believe that's at the discretion of whomever is the chair. Okay. Um, and so when
090when folks actually meet that three minute mark, I'm assuming they can finish the sentence that they're they're they're currently in as long as it's not a three minute, five minute run-on sentence. >> It's at the discretion of the chair. >> Of the chair. >> And then are they allowed to ask for extended time at the discretion of the chair at the moment? >> No. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions on these three policies? All those in favor? >> 70. Thank you. >> All right. Next, we're moving on to the other Yep. Other policy. Superintendent Robinson. >> Thank you. I'm recommending approval of the first reading of revised policy JICG. Student use of cell phones and other electronic devices. >> And I have a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. Any questions or discussion on
091this policy? >> You can ask your question first so I can make sure it's addressed. >> Member speed. Go ahead. >> So, so some of the some of the questions um I have there are several. Um and so the first one is how do we define the bell start and stop and should it be defined in the policy? >> Oh, maybe I reject my regret my No. Um, I I do not know how we identify bell to bell, but I would assume that it is the first bell to the last bell. Would the words like first and last be I know that's I'm sounding very sarcastic and pedantic, but I do actually. Would having first and last be helpful? Would it be after the start of the school day? I understand that you might be
092thinking, oh, is there a zero hour that we're belling for? And that might be confusing. Well, and and maybe it would be helpful to have a presentation from the high school, you know, that that actually has had a a cell phone ban this last year and and maybe they've used a bell to bell. Perhaps perhaps that would be insightful. I know it's something we've asked for in the past. Um throughout last school year, there was um several presentations from middle school and um high school. Um currently the high school has a um class period where each class period the devices are put in the boxes that have been provided. So this is a shift from that. >> So they're not going to have them between classes >> like they normally would. So um that those
093are the procedures that we're currently working out right now um to be able to implement by the August 1 date. So to directly answer your question, me member Brighton, I'm not sure because I don't know if the first bell represents the start of the school day or the first bell represents go to your lockers or it represents, you know, come in from outside. So >> I again, correct me if I'm assuming, but I do think that it's this is, you know, the the administrators and the individuals that are going to be enforcing and really making sure that this is happening will be the sort of final determinant in how this rolls out. So would it be helpful to say, okay, we've all met. We've developed this plan. This is what it's going to look like.
094Like this policy is this is a law. We have to do it. But how that looks might be a really beneficial opportunity in the fall once that's finalized to hear. >> Sure, we can share that. Absolutely. >> Member Cook, >> I'm also wondering I know that cell phones can be a major issue on the UTC bus and so I'm wondering if we should explicitly state something in this about And it doesn't have to explicitly say UDC bus, but any sort of field trip um bus because I know some people are calling this bell to bell, some people are calling it wall to- wall. The bus might not be considered wall. So um just something to consider. >> Thank you. Other questions on the cell phone policy? >> Member Speed. Yeah, I'm also wondering if we
095um should define what a personal device is because this is a cell phone ban that's been put into law. Personal device seems like a very broad statement. That is I'm I'm just trying to understand what that means. And sure. So surely this wouldn't include personal laptops. >> I believe and I I think that member Cook just you can see it on because I have to pull mine up, but it does say anything that can connect to the internet. >> Oh, so it would include personal laptops. does include personal laptops >> and even um earbuds as well. >> So, a personal laptop that >> Okay, I'm trying to wrap my head around that. Seems like an extreme >> uh interpretation of a personal device. Laptops are an amazing tool uh that can be used. >> The
096students are all issued laptops at the high school. Okay. >> Yeah, they'll all h they all have laptops issued from the school. >> And how do those laptops perform? might have to um principal, but if you want to speak to that, I I I think they're >> top of the line laptops. Uh >> so the personal device are Chromebook and they're fully integrated to all the G Suite applications all of the um functionality that comes with being connected through the all the apps uh all the traditional academic productivity uh docu applications word they're all proprietary they're sheets in Google drive and uh I forget the name of get the name of the word application but >> Google functionality the Chromebook has proven itself as a really good academic productivity device. You know you talk about
097individual students and there are in the past um there have been students who register a personal excuse me laptop device. Mhm. >> One of the limitations there is email uh configuration and it it doesn't work I'll just tell you from my experience it doesn't work as fluidly and more so to answer the question the devices work very well. We're in our third or fourth iteration of the device. They've made them more sturdy. uh reliability in terms of connectivity is really good and we've had really outstanding luck I guess with integrating the devices the Chromebooks into instruction and for take-home use. Is there go ahead >> is there ever any extended downtime for these devices? Um is there frequent visits to it for repairs for functionality that is are disruptive >> on uh the devices are
098first iteration of the devices we rolled out and I don't recall how many years it's been at this point but the first iteration of the Chromebook device was kind of a flimsy device prone to keyboard issues prone to cracking uh just like everything else they get better and better as time goes on they've adopted at least from my perspective it's just like a kind of like an Android cell phone. There are various vendors and makes and models >> and I don't know in particular the one that's purchased this time around, but if it has what I expect to be uh the same or higher level in in terms of the ability to absorb wear and tear to be reliably functional, um I would suspect be another really good good product that that helps student engage
099both at school and at home. Oh, if if if students currently have a a personal device that they've been using that they've been building research projects on for the last several years um that have a certain uh specification requirements to support that research or that data uh and they plan to take that personal device to college, right? I'm trying to think of college campuses or workplaces that actually don't allow you to have personal devices. So that personal device would actually be not allowed to be used under this policy next year. >> That's correct. >> That's the That's the law. >> It's the It's the law. >> It's It's stated in the >> It's stated in the legal document. Yes. Yes. >> Cook. >> So we we're charged with implementing it. >> Wow. >> Yeah. So,
100I think >> I think uh this will evolve and change especially if a new governor is uh or when a new governor comes to town. Um this didn't go through the normal policy hoops that most things do and so there are a lot of things that were not thought of. However, I do want to mention that, you know, personal laptops aside, I was in a meeting recently where someone gave me glasses and I was able to read their emails and read their text messages and they can speak through these little. So, I think putting something in here about like not necessarily meta glasses, but you can buy these on Amazon for very cheap. And this is going to be an example of the halves and the have nots because students who have the means to
101purchase these things and you know circumvent this policy are going to try to do that. >> Thanks for that input. Other questions or discussion on this policy member speed I'm curious there's been some questions about you know safety concern from parents during lockdowns. What how do we address the safety concerns uh if if students don't have these means of communications? I want to I want to make sure that the public who doesn't have this policy in front of us can actually understand that. >> Which portion are you referring to? >> Go ahead. I'm I'm not sure that that that this policy doesn't directly say this is you know how the situations in an emergency would take place but there's so much data which is what kind I think drove the law to be made in
102the first place that says in an emergency being on your cell phone or any sort of personal device is actually far more detrimental and dangerous which is >> again I'm making wild sweeping generalizations but part of what fueled this law was so that being present quiet with your, you know, teacher and the administration, especially in today's day and age where I, as as a parent myself with access to like the Bangor scanner page, anytime there's a lockdown, you hear these wild rumors very quickly. This is in a direct result this law of really mitigating those rumors, mitigating um information getting out of hand and just making sure that the students are safe and with their administrators and can appropriately communicate um during an emergency the same way that you know people did before cell phones.
103>> Yeah. >> Unfortunately. >> Yeah. I just want to follow up with that and and agree with that. And my understanding from the from the research and from what emergency responders say is that the last thing that a student should be doing during an emergency is is uh contacting their their family and they should be paying attention to what their teacher is telling them and what their administrators are telling them. >> I don't disagree. I agree completely. Having been, you know, in the classroom for 14 years, you know, uh, practicing lockdown drills, uh, I can I can attest those drills and procedures are in place for safety reasons for everyone involved in the building. So I think it's a good opportunity though um regardless to you know uh insure parents uh the emergency management plan
104and and and so if there's further uh um restrictions on cell phone communication I think it's an opportunity um to to uh remind folks of what to do in an emergency if they can't reach their kids. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> Thank you. Anyone else on the committee have questions? All right, ready to vote? All those in favor? >> 70. Thank you. >> Find my place. Um, we are moving on to committee appointments. We have none of those. Representative reports. Do we have any representative reports tonight? >> Yes. >> Yep. Members peep. >> I do. Yes. I'm very excited to share um uh it's been a a while since we've reported out on the UTC uh subcommittee that we have um and it's been a wonderful spring um uh May and June for the students there
105at the year- end award celebration. 160 students were recognized for program awards, recognitions, scholarships, tool awards uh as they move into post-secary education, apprenticeships, military service, and the workforce. um awards. Uh some of them highlight uh outstanding student award, but also I love this award, the growth and the grit award and the UTC Compass Award, which honors students who lead through service. Uh I just wanted to highlight a couple of the Bangor High School students uh from UTC. 13 high school students from Bangor were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Uh three high school students from Bangor were recognized as students of the quarter throughout the year. Uh and then also three uh Bangor High students graduated from the Bridge Academy. And just to highlight one of those Bridge Academy members, um a Bangor
106High School student senior uh Gabrielle Roy who received a career pathways associate degree uh and a small business certificate from Eastern Maine Community College. So congratulations to Gabby. >> Great. Any questions for member speed? >> Yeah, please. Member Cook. I also just wanted to share that the UTC policy committee is is going through their policies as we do and one of the things that they're doing is sort of taking the language and translating it from legal ease to more parent and studentfriendly language and then that way it can easily be transferred into student handbooks um educator handbooks um and there's a certain format that they follow and then they also have a parallegal who is taking changes and looking at old language, proposed language, MSMA language, and then includes a rationale for why the change
107was made. And so I just think that practice is one that I wanted to share um because it's it's working really well. >> Great. Thank you. Any other questions for member speed? All right, moving on to we have no student committee update tonight, no reports. So we are at the uh questions and comments from the committee. Any questions or comments from the committee? >> Yep. Member Okiri, >> I did want to say that um I want to acknowledge the work that's going into the reorganization plan. Um and I I think it's a fastmoving um evolving situation that takes a lot of time. Um especially when you know the heck he he the heck thick nature of the the last few days of school. Um, and I want to uh also stress the importance of, you
108know, communication and transparency for families and and especially when I was talking about the website, I may have come off a little bit um strong about it, but just thinking from the I always try to think of the vantage point of a a stressed parent who just has five minutes to check something really quickly. They might not Google it. They're going to go to the website and they look up click on the thing and it's not the thing they thought it was. H, forget it. And I know that it could be easy for us to be like, well, just take a deep breath and look. But I just try to think of it that way so that they can find the information as fast as possible. So if we could just put that this seems
109to be one of the press most pressing things that are going on currently, you know, that information directly on the the front page, I think that would be um a step in the right direction as far as um transparency and um communication. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments from the committee? All right, hold on. I lost my place. Um, moving on toformational items, important dates. Thursday, June 11, 2026, we have the retreat from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the University of Maine at Augusta Bangor campus. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, end of year assembly, 7:45 a.m. at Peaks Auditorium at Bangor High School. Wednesday, June 24, 2026, regular meeting here in the chambers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, regular meeting, 7 p.m. here in the chambers. Monday and Tuesday, July
11027 and 28, 20 uh 2026, strategic planning meeting, 8:00 a.m. at the University of Maine at Augusta Bangor campus in Eastport, room 105. All right, I need a motion to uh take us into executive session. So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? All those in favor? All right, we are in executive session. Have a good night. Thank you.