001Special Education School Social Worker of the Year. This recognition highlights not only Rene's individual achievements, but also the critical role social workers play in the special education system. Renee >> and Mr. Brener will speak. Good evening, committee members. So, I um it's really my pleasure to talk a little bit about Renee. I've had the pleasure to work with her uh for the last few years at Cohen, and I had the the opportunity to submit a letter on her behalf uh for this award nomination. So, if I may, I'd like to to uh read a portion of that. Okay, Renee. Okay. Um, so Renee Prawn is just really one of those special talented educators that a person can only hope to work with at some point in their careers. Rene has been a social worker uh
002educator for more than 28 years. Um, 15 or so 15ish in in in the school department. and the spanner for reach um comes from a strong skill set but also a very trusted rapport that she has built with Bangor families over time. The effort that she makes to ensure that students are safe attending school, have a ride to and from school and the clothing and resources they need is unmatched. So for the past few years, as I mentioned, Rene has been assigned as the social worker at uh William S. Cohen School and the Mary Snow School. And what I knew about Rene's legendary legendary work before she came to to Cohen across the district, I I now have the opportunity to to see firsthand. So Renee is tremendous, tremendously knowledgeable and I really value her
003role in our in our team conversations to support students. I also have the opportunity to see how she makes positive connections uh with students during the course of the day. Whether it's one of those scheduled check-ins or just an informal casual connection in the hallway or in the office, uh she's skilled at at building relationships. Um, and finally, Renee really has consistently gone above and beyond to assist students and families uh in our city. Uh, however, if you were to ask her uh about it, she would just say, "That's just my job. Uh, that's what I do." Uh, Rene's efforts to support students and families goes beyond the standard structure uh of of the school day, early mornings, late in the day, weekend, school vacation, summer. um if you need her and a family needs
004her, she's just a phone call away. Um so Renee has has always done what it takes uh to support students and families in the Bangor School department and as I mentioned has gone above and beyond. So I have really appreciated working with her over the last few years and it's really an honor for me to introduce Renee Pon as the Matt's ex special education social worker of the year. Renee I do have to say I am wear I'm my children are fifth generation Bangor graduates. Um this is my dad's pin. He graduated in 1968. So I have a strong uh history with the Banganger school department and also with um awards that my family has gotten over the years. My husband, my late husband passed two years ago, but he was um class A hockey
005coach of the year for Bangor uh 31 years ago. But the reason I got into social work is because my grandmother was a city health nurse in Bangor and she won nurse of the year, city health nurse uh 41 years ago. So I am very proud, very honored um and very humbled and thank you so much. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. We have another award. It's a nice night for awards. Um, the Bangor School Department and the Bangor School Committee would also like to recognize the James F. Dowy music teacher Sarah Cousins uh as the main association of computer technology educators achieve award winner. The award honors educators who have made a significant contribution to integrating technology into their teaching practices and principal Moing is going to speak initially on Sarah's behalf. >> Good
006evening everyone. It's a great pleasure to announce this award. Um Sarah has the great misfortune of having her classroom almost directly across the hall from my office. So uh she I frequently stop in and see what she's doing. I'm technologically not very savvy. Uh but Sarah is fortunately just completely the opposite. Uh like Dr. Harris Smemedberg said, this is about integrating technology into instruction. You can't really call Sarah just a music teacher or a computer teacher. She se uh se seamlessly weaves those things together and it's amazing to see if you go by her room and they're not playing ukuleles, they're doing something. If I'm going and looking for Sarah, I don't look at her desk. I look in the room because she's always doing something with kids and it's an active learning experience and
007it's great to see. Uh she's positive. She's enthusiastic. She brings an amazing energy to our building every day. She also has learned to deal with my crazy ideas. I recall last year. Uh she's a free Friday morning karaoke performer and I I do uh we do dress up sometimes, but uh when I showed up 10 minutes uh before a performance and handed her an inflatable fox costume, it was no problem. And she did that cuz that's what she was there for for the kids. Uh last week I showed up in her room and said, "Let's go sing uh at Vine Street." Uh and she said, "Let's go do it. let's plan it out. And I said, "No, we're going tomorrow." Uh, and so she she takes that the kids are so excited to work with
008her every day. It's just a great honor to have her working with us at Dowy. She's amazing. And so I know you'll join me in congratulating her on this award. >> Um, thank you for acknowledging me in receiving this ACT achieve award. Um, it's an honor to be recognized for my work in interior and technology within the music classroom. I've always been a lover of music, but I always find myself as a lifelong learner. And when COVID happened, I had to pivot as a music teacher. We couldn't sing, we couldn't play instruments. And so, at my previous employment, we started looking into technology and ways to engage middle schoolers because we all know sometimes that's not easy. Um, and so from there, it just I took one class and I just took off and ran
009with it. Um so by adding this component of integration has allowed myself as well as my students to broaden their view experience and understanding um of music education and not just see music as a performing opportunity. It can be a creative way to be an outlet for you as well as writing um but also not even seeing it in the traditional sense. So but thank you for tonight. I appreciate that very much. I could have found in this state. Heat. Heat. Thank you very much everyone. Moving on. Uh do we have any adjustments to the agenda this evening? We do not. Okay, great. Moving on to public comment. And as a reminder, members of the public may address the school committee for up to three minutes on school and education matters. Public comment shall be
010directed to the school committee and be brief and non-repetitive. The 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 request 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 share comments contrary to this policy will not be allowed to
011continue. Before starting, please state your name and place of residence. And do we have any public comment this evening? No. All right, moving on. Next, we have superintendent proposals and updates. And we do not have any action items. So, we've got superintendent update. So, it's always been a busy busy time. Um, the Bangor High School JRTC and band participated in the annual 911 ceremony at the Banganger Waterfront on September 11th. Husten University is partnering with the James F. Dowy School as a teaching school. This puts Husten students into schools their freshman and sophomore years. Husten holds classes at the James F. Daudi school and then the students apply that knowledge to their learning in their real um real world settings and gain classroom experience in a range of placements. The NWA state reading and math
012assessments began this week for students in grades 3 through eight in the second year of high school. Heather Hail will be presented this evening as our new director of business and is with us here tonight. Um the interview committee interviewed sever several very highly qualified candidates and Heather's strong background and experience in school finance made her our top choice. Please take a moment after the meeting to introduce yourself to her and give her a warm Bangor welcome. Uh we've also the Bangor School department has also been awarded a $500,000 PSD competitive grant. Planning A is underway with the goal of supporting students with self-regulation and engagement. New legislation took effect today, but the Bangor School Department is in good position with solid policies already in place. However, you will see an updated restraint and seclusion
013policy come before you in October to reflect those law changes. prep uh met to discuss keynote options for the March 2026 workshop day, upcoming mentor training, and a state level PBIS update. The group also reviewed grant opportunities for schools and teachers, received partner reports from the University of Main and Husten, and highlighted professional development oper off offerings. In addition, the main literacy and numeracy action plans were shared emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation for all students that basically is a collective call to action. >> Thank you. Are there any questions from the committee? >> All right. Great. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh that $500,000 grant you using you used an acronym there that I wasn't familiar with. Could you tell us a little bit more about that? >> Yes. Um, it's the
014public school I have to write it down here. Public school district's opioid recovery trust. Um, and it's basically addressing the impact that um, opioids have had upon um, students in their learning. It doesn't have anything to do with students who are actively involved in it or anything like that. It's just helping students be more successful in school. >> Thank you. Any other questions from the committee? >> Member Okary. Um, is the grant does it have a time period to spend down on or >> Yes, it's a three-year grant. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> All right. Thank you very much. Moving on. Uh, report of resignations. >> I'm reporting the following resignations for the school year 2025 2026. Isaac Bushwe, B, baseball coach at the William S. Cohen School. >> Thank you. And moving
015on to business action items. Up first, we have uh minutes of the regular meeting of September 10th. >> I'm recommending approval of the draft minutes of the September 10th, 2025 regular school committee meeting. >> Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> All in favor 70. >> Thank you. Next, we have uh the financials, the unuded June 2025 financial report. I'm recommending approval of the unaudited June 2025 financials. >> And can I get a motion? So >> moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Jinx 7. >> Thank you. Uh next we have personnel administrator nominations. >> I'm recommending the following administrator nominations for the 2025 2026 school year. Heather Hail, director of business districtwide. >> And can I get a motion? So moved. >> All in favor? 70. >> Thank you. And next
016we have extra duty assignments. >> I'm recommending the following extra duty assignments. Hope Ullette JV fall cheering coach Bangor High School. Lance Finemore testing coordinator Bangor High School. Nicole Downing.9 IEP coordinator William S. Cohen School. Samuel Peard.9 IEP coordinator William S. Cohen School. and Marie Roberts 7 IEP coordinator at the William S. Cohen School. >> And can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> 70. >> And moving on to the second reading of revised policies. >> I'm recommending approval of the second reading of the revised policy GDB6 executive office compensation guide. >> And can I have a motion? >> So moved. Second. All in favor? 70. Thank you. And we don't have any introduction items. So, moving on to committee updates. Do we have any representative reports? >>
017Nope. Do we have any student Oh, I'm sorry. I apologize. Member Hosman. Um, so just a quick update that um the DEIB advisory committee has now been changed to I I don't want to mess it up. Um community hold on you should have written this down. Um I think it's community of of uh community of belonging and please Ray am I correct? Okay. Advisory council. So um so that is the um official name change and we wanted to make sure to align it with um the wonderful theme that we have and everything that director Finny is working on with the culture of belonging and so forth. So, um that is the official name change and um and we will open it up for new staff members to um you know whoever wants to be on
018to be included and also uh parents as well. >> Thank you so much. Are there any questions or comments? >> Yes, member Surret. Uh will the community of belonging committee will that be a representative report that we get after each meeting similar to the other ones that are listed? >> Yes. And I think the plan is to have regular updates versus waiting until the very end like we used to do in June. And so um did we say quarterly I think Katie? Yeah, we um the committee met and has decided that in like two Junes ago we heard really long um updates but additionally like a committee report whomever is assigned from um this school committee will be giving regular updates. Uh the meetings will be every other month instead of it was previously quarterly
019uh for our updates. So you'll be hearing more of those regularly as well. Will will a line be added to the I know it's getting in the weeds here a little bit, but I'm just I'm I'm interested in will it be reflected on the on the agendas that >> that committee is going to be giving reports? >> Yeah. And I think, you know, because it's an advisory committee, um so that's why the name isn't officially on here, >> right? >> Um but I I'm not opposed to that. >> Thanks. The committees that are listed on your agenda are the committees that are required. Um they're your standing committees where this is an advisory committee. It can report out at any time, but it would not be considered your standing committee. >> Thank you for the
020clarification. Are there uh any other Oh, I'm sorry. Pember Kerry. >> Um yes, I'm sorry. Um will or maybe there already is information on the website, but you know for parents or community members who are interested in joining, is there a place where they can see the meeting times and the meeting locations on the Bangor School department website? >> Director, if any would you help us with that information? >> It is not on the website as of yet. Um I had to leave the meeting slightly early. Um, but as soon as I get back to the office, I will talk to Director Carver Beller tomorrow and make sure that that update is there. >> And my understanding is that everything's already on there in terms of meetings. I mean, we have to have everything on
021the website anyway. So, and I just want to add that the the the first meeting that we had this year was very specific into how to make these meetings more accessible, more engaging. So even if parents and teachers and community members aren't actually able to come to the meetings or participate, there will be plenty of opportunities for members of the committee or members of the school staff that are involved to actually be active on the campuses asking questions, collecting feedback. Much like we saw examples of when we were trying to get the word out about our PCHC clinics in schools, they were at open houses sharing information. Um the the goal is that instead of requiring the same folks to come to the same meeting every time that there is more accessibility and actually more
022of an outward- facing approach and that was much of what that meeting our very first meeting of this year was about. >> Thank you. Any other questions, comments, discussion? No. Okay. Uh do we have a student committee report? >> Uh yes. This week we have quite a bit of sports related events. Varsity boys soccer play Edward Little tomorrow 4 away. Uh and Camden Hills at 2 on Sun Saturday. Varsity girls play um sorry Edward Little at home tomorrow at 4. Cross country have a meet at Coney High School at 6 on Friday. Football is playing Portland at 7 in Portland on Friday. Um, we also have a SAT being hosted at Bangar High School on the 8th if any seniors or juniors want to sign up for that. And I did talk to Sophia this
023week. She's studying abroad in Greece and she says she misses you guys a lot. >> And that's it. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. All right. Any other questions or comments from the committee? >> Member Sprig. >> Thank you. Uh, I just want to thank Brandon for that update. It's nice to watch you ascend into the lead role over the last year and looking forward to working with you this year. Uh, I also wanted to thank uh the assistant superintendent for a smooth meeting this evening. I think it actually and our chair as well, but the the institution needs to be able to make it when the chair or the superintendent are not here. It speaks to the uh not redundancy but we need to have systems in place so that we can go
024on in the absence of one person. So I that's why I frequently say we got to keep to our normal meeting schedule even if people are gone because the institution sort of transcends any one of us and I thank you for being here tonight and uh congratulate you on a pretty smooth meeting. Uh, I also wanted to uh highlight in a positive way. I think the social media for the Banganger school department has been quite on point lately. Uh, I've noticed a difference this year. There's a vibrancy to it. There's a joy to it. And this stuff really does matter a lot. Not just for the number of clicks or the likes we get, but there's a lot of fans of the Bangor School Department in the community, and they want to see what's going
025on, even if they don't have a student in the in the schools. uh people take a lot of pride in that and it creates a sense of place for where we live and there's a lot of positive ripple effects on that. I think I'm among this group I get the reputation sometime of being the skunk at the picnic for calling out typos and errors and things and it's not because I'm some nitpicky proofreader on things. In fact, I don't think that's my personality. But it's because I want us to have excellence in all things. And I want us to take pride in the quality of what we're putting out into the world is on point. And also the information really matters to parents and grandparents and other loved ones. The links have to work. They
026have to connect. They have to be right the first time. Uh there can't be typos in the messages. And I make typos myself in messages. Believe me, I do. But for a lot of people, their lives are busy enough and stressful enough that they need the institution of the Bangor School Department to be on it so there can be one thing that they don't have to worry about. And the messages and communications that go out have to be ordered and correct and accurate because it might be one of the few things in that person's life that is ordered and together for them. And that is why I care so much about the quality of the communications going out. It's not because I'm trying to be like holier than now pointing out mistakes. It's because I
027want it to be excellent and I want it to be right the first time. And I'll share with you all a analogy I heard once too about the importance of communications that I can't take credit for this, but the analogy is if you're falling from an airplane, you need a little piece of paper that says pull this cord. You don't need a 96 page PDF. And it's just so easy to say we're providing the info to people by sending them mountains of data. No, we have to give them the right answer to the extent possible and it's got to be done in an effective way where the links work. And we are an educational institution after all. So that the h has to be correct grammar, correct spelling, correct capitalizations, all that stuff matters because
028people are looking to us as an educational institution to be accurate. And again, more importantly, it's just people need the institution to be on point because people's lives are stressful and disordered and chaotic and they need to know where they're sending their kids has it together. So that is why I sometimes am the skunk at the picnic at calling these things out because I want it to be right and I think we mostly do get it right. But to wrap this up in a more positive way, I think the social media has been really good this year. So uh there's lots of smiling student faces and faculty faces and it projects out into the ecosystem positivity about the Bangor School department and that's all I'm looking for because the ripple effects really build positively on
029that. So, thank you. I think it's Rey, but all the administrators and people that are generating content for that. It's better this year. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much, members. That was very uh robust and I appreciate your attention to detail in all things and that is why it takes a group. >> You're welcome. member Hassiman >> and I won't be as but I did want to um uh congratulate Director Hail. Welcome aboard. We're really happy to see you here. And then also um uh uh director Finny um you have done a phenomenal job and I want to applaud you and I love and and that's why I got confused on the name because the culture of belonging making sure that that's not siloed and that we weave that throughout everything, right? And
030so, um, I think the name change too to a community of belonging for the advisory committee aligns perfectly with the initiative that you have. And so, I'm really excited, um, because I too have heard wonderful things about everything that you're doing online. And it, you know, again, it makes every student feel that sense of belonging and feel like they, um, are valued and appreciated. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments at this time? Oh. All right. Thank you very much. So, we'll move on to information items. Uh, the next up important dates we have October, excuse me, Wednesday, October 8th, 2025, regular meeting, 7 p.m., council chambers. Wednesday, October 29th, regular meeting, 700 p.m. uh council chambers. Monday, November 10th, 2025, reorganizational meeting at 11:00 a.m. at Council Chambers. That's on
031a Monday. Thursday, November 13, 2025, workshop 5:00 p.m. Bangor High School Library. And Thursday, November 13, 2025, regular meeting 7 p.m. at council chambers. At this time, uh move to adjourn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? Have >> that's it. With that, we are adjourned. Thank you.