001Good evening everyone. I am going to call the May 13th school board meeting to order at 6 PM. If everyone could stand for the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call. Megan Arshambo. >> Carmen Barski is excused. Suzanne Bower is excused. Mark Cardisano is excused. Elizabeth Day. >> Michelle Felicetti. >> Anastasia Ferguson, >> I am here. >> Eric Garrison is excused. Jodie Lane, I'm here. Jennifer Mayo, >> Amy Morrison, >> here. >> Wes Finny >> here. >> Adam Tanglay. >> Thomas Van Hton. Judith Vel, >> D Vigliata >> here, >> Zoe Anthony, >> Walker Vivian >> here. >> We have a quorum this evening with
00212 directors present. like to make a motion to add one item to the agenda. This would be an additional nomination. Um, so we would add that under new business number four, no, number three for nominations. If I can get a second to that motion. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? That carries. We'll make that adjustment. consent agenda. Do I have a motion to accept the consent agenda? See, Beth, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda? All in favor? That carries. Public comment. Do we have any public comment this evening? No public comment. Next up is the board chair report. I just have one reminder, scheduling reminder that probably Wes is going to do, but I'm going to do it as well,
003which is that there's no finance committee meeting next week on the 19th. That was cancelled. So, the next time finances meeting is the 26th. There's also a finance meeting that is not on the calendar yet or was not on the calendar when I looked earlier and now is for uh June 10th at 5:00 pm. That's right before the school board meeting that day, the day after the district referendum vote. So that's just a quick reminder for those and uh that's all I have. So I will turn things over to Dr. Marquee for the superintendent report >> and I'll swing it right over to Zoe and Walker for the student report. Uh good evening everyone. Uh so with the more pleasant and warmer weather that we are experiencing, many elementary schools have had or will be
004having outdoor spring pictures which are optional. Uh NWEA exams and other testing like the fifth grade MEA science exam is also happening for schools throughout the district. Uh and staff appreciation week began on Monday, May 4th and ran until the end of the week. uh and all schools throughout the district spent uh time recognizing the incredibly profound commitment to students, colleagues, and the district that staff members demonstrate every single day. Staff uh had numerous celebrations as they have been thanked for their deep dedication to their work and their tireless efforts to improve the school community and the lives of students. Alfred Elementary will have a musical showcase for all grades except the fifth grade on May 22nd. and the fifth grade will be performing during their special fifth grade celebration to end their elementary school
005careers. The Alfred PTSA elected to celebrate staff appreciation week with a fun in the sun theme. Uh each day they had a different surprise prepared for their sensational staff, ranging from a food truck to messages to coffee and muffins to gifts. Uh students recently voted on the annual principal challenge at Alfred Elementary. They selected for their principal to be a student for a day, uh, attending a segment of every classroom while completing at least one assignment. Yearbook order forms are being sent home on May 18th and are due back by May 29th. During the months of May and June, Lyman Elementary is focusing on the theme of Be Joyful. Wyman will also be having a musical showcase. PreK and uh kindergarten and first grade students will be performing on May 20th at 1:30 p.m. Uh
006while the older grades will be performing the following day at that same time. On Friday, May 8th, uh there will be a spirit day with the theme red, white, and blue. And Lon will be concluding their one school one book event with a schoolwide carnival on the 28th of this month. Shappley Memorial School is focusing on integrity during May. Uh, and Shappley students have also recently created Earth Day artwork which is displayed in the town hall for all to see. The school is hosting a week-long book fair beginning on May 4th. And May 7th there be they had a uh Star Wars themed family night at the school. There were many activities including reading, math, science, and the PT PTC hosted an ice cream social that evening. The school recently had a favorite movie character
007day and a spirit day where staff and students were encouraged to wear a hat. Shappley celebrated their staff in numerous ways throughout staff appreciation week. Uh the PTC held a new bar every day of the week uh which included a taco bar, coffee and water bar, trail mix bar, breakfast bar, and ice cream bars to end the week. Lion Elementary held their spring photos on the 7th of May. Uh, the Lion PTC hosted a special treat for their staff as well. On Monday, they provided Aroma Joe's drinks alongside a breakfast. On Tuesday, they had taco Tuesday theme. They provided snacks. On Wednesday, there was a trail mix bar hosted on Thursday, and the week wrapped up with sweet treats. On May 22nd, the third grade will be taking a field trip to Squam Lake in
008New Hampshire. Uh Walderborough Elementary began their week-long spring book fair on May 4th, and this provided an opportunity for students to stock up on books for the summer. Uh the fair was open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7th for the evening book fair hours where families were allowed to attend. Uh there was also student artwork on display and an ice cream social hosted by by the fifth grade class as a fundraiser that evening. The prek students will be visiting uh visit v visited pumpkin valley on May 8th and the second grade students uh visited the main wildlife park on the 12th of May. And I'll turn it over to Zoe for the second half of our report this evening. Thank you. >> Good afternoon everyone. I will cover the second half of
009our report. Starting back with Water Elementary. Students are focused on the theme of create creativity during May. They are encouraged to use their imagination, solve problems, and try new things. Fourth graders are have been studying the American Revolution and have been writing specific figure or event papers and making 3D models to showcase what they've been learning. An author will be paying a visit to Waterborough on the 20th of May and families have been invited for a literacy and math camp over the summer which will be a session of three days over four weeks and during this time students will be able to work in small groups to improve their math and literacy skills. On May 19th, parents and guardians of fifth graders are invited to Masterpiece Middle School for a parent night. They'll be able
010to meet the principles, learn the up the details of the school, and look around the school and see what it looks like. This 1-hour event begins at 5:30. On the 12th, MMS has an art exhibit and a band concert. The art exhibit starts at 5:00 and ends at 7:00, and the band concert starts at 7:00. The student council will be selling treats that afternoon and the evening. There will be a co a chorus concert on May 19th at 7 p.m. The MMS yearbook has just been finished and printed. The books will arrive at the end of May. And 39 MMS student vocalists were chosen to participate in the ACD ACDA state chorus festival on May 9th in Toppsum. These students will be able to show off their talent um of the entire chorus department at
011M at MMS. These seventh graders will be taking a trip on the 20th to see the Portland Sea Dogs based game. Sixth grade students have been exploring the United Nations sustainable development goal six and their in disciplinary studies courses. They have been focused on um clean water and sanitation of um the water in across many n like in Africa. They read they read a book called A Long Walk to Water where students then simulated a 3.7 mile walk as the main characters did in the book. They walked a total they walked laps that total that amount of miles and it g carrying buckets of water giving the students um an idea of what they went through. At Masterpiece High School, ticket prom tickets were being sold um during lunches and home room from April 27th
012to the 8th in the MHS Environ recently competed in the Southwest Regional Environ in Auburn. The competition had four different tests that the students competed in aquatics, wildlife, forestry, and soils. They also presented um a poster or materials on a current issue. On the 13th of May, there was no classes today. There were 9th and 10th uh grade students were taking the NWA tests and a special treat was provided for those students at the end of the day as a reward. On May 4th, there was a there was a set of short assemblies for each grade. These were congratulating the success in this in the year so far and they were also reminded of expectations for the to continue to end the year strong. The National Honor Society has been doing volunteer work in many
013of the district schools. They've been cleaning outdoor spaces, gardening. They worked on the greenhouse at Waterville Elementary in late April. They cleaned courtyards and painted MHS doors over April break. The group has also done some celebrating of the staff during staff appreciation week. They made cards, filled cl fill the staff with cookies and treats and made a pancake breakfast. On Friday, May 8th, the school will host a spring music concert. This includes chorus, chamber singers, chorus band, percussion ensemble, and wind and wind ensemble. The junior class is hosting a prom which will be scheduled on to Saturday, May 16th. The theme is a night in Versailles and they will be in a at a Portland venue which lasts from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The ticket the tickets cost 80 bucks for individual and 150
014for a couple. This included a catered dinner. The students in journalism and podcasting classes have been creating student podcasts called saddle. Uh this is on the um newsletters for everyone to see. There were many fun activities that are happening all around the district and the school year is coming the end of the school year is coming very very close. Spring spring sports are continuing and students are anticipating field trips, concerts, prom and there's a lot more to be coming for the end of the year. >> Um, thank you very much Zoe and Walker. Are there any questions for Zoe or Walker before I begin my portion? Okay. Um, they've already covered staff appreciation. I just want to thank our staff once again for uh what they do uh for and with our students and greater
015learning community. Um on that uh and on that end um we're in the throws of hiring season as well and I believe that we're um having real high quality candidates coming before us and uh tonight you'll have several. Um this time of year there'll likely be agenda adjustments for each meeting moving forward because it's kind of a rolling hiring process. Um I interviewed uh a few people today that are not on uh tonight's agenda uh because I have to meet with a few additional finalists for particular positions. So you'll see those folks at our next board meeting. want to thank uh the finance committee, the full school board, our administrative team, and all community members that were in attendance last week at our district budget meeting. I'd also ask that any members of the community
016that have remaining questions, would like any additional information, um please reach out to Mr. Walsh, our finance director, or myself, and we'll do our very best to answer any questions that you might have to inform how uh you plan to vote u in a few weeks. Um, our school board's been well aware of some challenges we've had as a district related to substances. And I I want to put this out. Uh, I know our parents are also well aware and our students have been well aware. We we talk during health classes um in our advisories in school assemblies. I shared an example recently at the high school. It's really critical that we work together as a full school community. Um there's nothing more challenging than than navigating uh student substance matters and we want to
017work with our students to the best of our ability and with families. So, this is really more a plea of to any student or family that um is struggling with substances or addiction to please reach out to their school principles, their school counselors um either for assistance directly or for referrals because we do want to support our students. Our substance abuse counselor uh is going to be retiring at the end of the year and we've been advertising for that position. So, this is an opportunity to express if if any of our community members are aware um or know of individuals that might be interested in joining our team in that critical work and supporting our youth with making good choices, lifestyle changes. We would welcome their application uh because it's a position that we think
018is really critical to our continued success. Um, I had the great pleasure of joining Mrs. Twitchell and Mrs. Grantham for the middle school concert today. Um, Mr. Laziano and Mr. Malazo and their students did a tremendous job um, in the band and coral concerts today. Band and jazz band concerts today, not coral. And I was also really impressed with our students in attendance. Um it was amazing to have 600 kids in a gymnasium over 600 kids so well attuned to what was happening as their classmates and friends performed. Um, I've been around some pretty high quality music programs and I would say of of any program in our district um, over the last 5 years since I've been here that has shown the greatest growth, it's been our music program. I think we've made tremendous
019strides at the high school level, but in particular at the middle school level. And I think the support of the board last year when we transitioned really a um the grade five elementary band position which was not highly successful given a lot of complexity someone trying to rotate between five buildings limited time and moving that position to the middle school with Mr. Malazo has really um resulted in some significant interest gains on the part of students for both um performance band, jazz band, but also modern music where he's teaching kids the guitar. So, um really the music program at the middle school is as vibrant. I was talking with Miss Twitchell who's a a music major. um many years ago and uh whose own children were are great musicians about comparing us in her opinion
020because I have my own opinion to uh the programs that that we've been accustomed to and I' I'd have to say the middle school um jazz band and and um performance band is absolutely exceptional. Um I hope you get a chance to see them perform and uh the next challenge is um keeping them involved as schedule complexity at the high school level can change some of that when kids have to try to look at certain courses. So we're always trying to balance that. Um but I firmly believe that the success that's happening at the middle school is going to be transcendent to the high school. and uh we've seen I'd say at least a doubling of the number of kids in our high school band over the last four years in particular. So great job
021to your students and your staff, Mrs. Granthm. Um want to share that right now out on our ball fields we are our our girls softball team is playing Bford. you ever get a chance, you arrive early and you want to take in a game. Um I I was sitting here tonight thinking, "Oh my god, I haven't been to a lacrosse game this year, but I've been to several baseball games. I've been to several softball games, tennis matches, one track meet out of the two home meets, and seeing our kids smile and cheer on their their friends. Um, it just seems like lacrosse games are always off the my schedule for some reason and they do a lot more maybe on Saturdays or Fridays, but the schools are busy. It's um a lot of life happening
022around and I think our kids are having some success and if we can keep them tied into visual and performing arts, community service and um athletics, each of those add a little bit more flavor to get kids um into our schools as do clubs and groups. So, thank you for your stewardship of our students and um there's nothing better than seeing them in their uniforms or in their performance gear for the various concerts. I wish I had been there last night though because I heard it was absolutely amazing with the addition of the arts uh exhibit at the middle school. So, that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Any questions for Dr. Marky? questions. >> I remember I think it was two years ago, Dr. Mari, we were working on the budget right here in
023this room and you brought forward that recommendation to create that opportunity of for that music position over at the middle school and uh all that work in the past to hear how successful it's become and how positive it is u uh is uh is is amazing. I'm glad you were able to report that out to us. But I just wanted to remind you, you're the one that brought that forward to us and it was a great recommendation. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up, we will move on to standing committees. We'll start with policy. Beth, >> uh Oh gosh. Okay. We met last week. >> I'm too close. Can you hear me? Okay. Okay. We met last week. Um, so we uh and we went through Oh, I didn't really write
024notes for this. We went through um were we on eye policies? Uh, for the most part, we had some that are coming for a first read uh later in the night. Those are the ones I wrote down. Um, and that I don't know what am I missing, Adam? I think just that we managed to get through the remainder of the policies and our rotation for the year. So, as of right now, there's no uh >> no meeting for next month. >> Yes. So, I was going to say that there's no more um policy meetings until next year. >> Yeah. Policy's wrapped up for the year. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh any questions for policy? All right. Next up, finance. Good evening. Finance uh met and reported out at the last board meeting. Um our
025next board meet uh policy committee. I served a long time on policy. Our next finance committee meeting is uh May 26 at 6 PM here in this room. Uh I would like to report out that uh our board chair and myself uh met with the auditors. Our our accountant uh Marcus Pratt met with us with one of his accountants and uh went over the process. The auditors were here this past week and uh they'll be back in July uh doing more work after the end of the fiscal year uh uh 26 effective uh June 30 uh of 26 the budget year ends. So they will be back. He went over a number of uh issues and items and things that they were working on. He had nothing but positive praise for our finance team. Um
026he was reaching out to Jody and myself to see if we had any concerns or if there were any issues we needed to bring for him and and we shared that we felt we had a very very strong finance team and that between our administrative team, our superintendent and assistant superintendent u we felt we had a pretty solid financial uh commitment in the school district. Um he wanted me to share with the rest of the board members that if anyone else ever wants to communicate, they're more than welcome to uh and and they you can uh call him or email him. And um for the record, his name is Marcus Pratt. Uh his uh phone number is 20773 2986. That's 207773 2986. They also have an 800 number 8004861784. 8004861784. And the reason for that
027message is of course the board chair and finance chair uh meet uh on a routine basis as required. Um and we get into a lot of discussions. Um and uh the positions that we present uh I do believe reflect the rest of this board. But there is always the possibility that there is a descending voice that might want to communicate something different than what Jody and I do. And he wanted to make sure that you all knew that he would welcome that. And of course, you can direct those comments to our superintendent or our fiscal director and they would also pass that information along to the auditors at your request. So that's the report for the finance committee. >> Thanks, Wes. Any questions on finance? >> Next up, HR Anastasia. >> We have not met
028last board meeting. Our next meeting is May 20th at 6 p.m. >> Thank you. Any questions for HR? Seeing none, we'll move on. Old business, we have none. So, we will move on to new business. We're going to start things off with Mrs. Twitchel, our director of curriculum and instruction to do an ESA presentation. Good evening. I'm here to share information regarding our Elementary and Secondary Education Act or ESA allocations for fiscal year 2027. We often refer to these as our title funds. Uh part of the requirement of receiving these federal funds is to engage with stakeholders. So to that end, I will be sharing about what we know to date regarding our preliminary funds for RSU57 and offer an opportunity for the comm for the community to provide feedback for the application of those
029funds. Um typically this is something that in the past has been done at curriculum meetings but um now this will be coming to the full board. Uh you can access the feedback form using this QR code uh which will be posted in the description of the recording of this meeting on YouTube. If you don't catch it here or at the end of the last slide um the form will remain active until June 15th and also in be posted in the minutes of this meeting. So first some background about the three areas RSU 57 has been given preliminary allocations for. So the first is title one which is improving basic programs operated by local educational agencies and essentially this source provides funding to schools with high concentrations of students from lowincome families uh to help all
030students meet academic needs. We focus these funds in our elementary schools to support identified needs including early intervention as part of our multi-tered systems of support as well as family engagement. The second area is title two which is supporting effective instruction and title two funds are used to support professional development and efforts to improve teacher and principal effectiveness. And then title four, which is student support and academic enrichment. And these funds are intended for support of well-rounded educational opportunities, safe and healthy schools, and effective use of technology. So each spring, we are notified of our preliminary allocations for the following year. And on this next slide, you can see what allocations were for the previous two years as well as projections for next year. Uh these allocations are based on formulas designated at the federal
031and the state level. And again, these are preliminary figures uh for FY2027, but historically the numbers that we get um at the end end up being fairly accurate. And we're presenting these tonight to to get feedback from the community and stakeholders um because once these final numbers come to us, it's a very short turnaround. Um so we want to make sure that we have feedback um during our planning process. Uh we are unable to obligate these funds until our final allocations are released, our application is approved, and it receives substantial approval from the main department of education. And that usually typically happens in like sort of the July August time frame. So um we are looking at a significant reduction which the state had sort of given us a heads up about had warned us
032about in advance and although we don't have control of what is allocated uh we will do our best to plan for the most effective and efficient use of the funds that we receive. And as you can see in the first two columns, um we do have the ability to transfer between those titles. So historically the last two years we've moved um some of the funds from title two and title four into our title one. And part of that is because the title two and title four tends to be a little bit more restrictive. And as our priority is early intervention and support, um moving the funds into title one really allows us to put them the money where that priority is usually um using that for funding interventionists for those early um students and while
033still preserving some of the professional development. Um so our plan is to use the funds in the same way this coming year using um some of the title two title four moving it into title one to help pay for some of those interventionists. Uh here is also a QR code for the main state dashboard which I've shared with you previously and there's also a URL um and this can give you information you can access state information and district and school level data as well. And then finally, as I mentioned, uh we have a form to encourage and get community and stakeholder feedback regarding the use of these funds. And it provides an opportunity to receive further information um so we can best plan and meet students needs here in RSU 57. Any questions? >> Yeah,
034thank you, Mrs. Pritchell. Uh D. >> Hi, >> thank you for sharing this information. So, I know it's preliminary information and it looks like and obviously 2027 is a significant drop. Um, it what are what are your projected concerns with that drop, especially with the 40,000? I mean, that seems like an interventionist amount of pe of money um that may be unavailable coming 2027. Is there anything that the district is trying to put safety nets around to make sure that none of those interventions that you guys have worked so hard to fund and supply for those students doesn't disappear? >> Yeah. I mean, we don't know until we know. So, we're making tentative plans, but within, you know, spending money to to fund those interventionists, there is also a little bit um that are put
035towards other projects. And so we would look to allocate anything that had been used for other things um potentially to go to that. We don't have any set plans right now. These numbers just came out about two weeks ago or so. And so that's why the feedback form is important for us as well. Um but we're looking at any and all options at this point, right? I mean it's not an insignificant amount of funds, >> right? >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> I have one additional bit of information. So I had shared previously when we were working on um the EPS legislation that would help us in FY28 um that was achieved. We have not yet got uh we don't know what those final numbers will look like but essentially a million dollars or so.
036Um but through that work it engaged a lot of additional conversation about why wait Well, we have to wait because it's a significant amount of money. But then um through a lot of additional conversation, there was the development of what's called some bridge money based on if you recall um but it was pretty quick. Districts with economically disadvantaged over 40% would be given a multiplier per student calculation. um that will bring in some additional funds that we'll talk about at finance that can help offset or support as we're moving some of these things around. So, there's a net loss here, but the bridge money is um going to be more significant than what's lost here. And and the design of that is to really support kids who really need the support and services. So, I
037think we're going to be in pretty good shape, but we actually have not gone down that road yet. The first step was to share this and share preliminary numbers. >> Okay, >> great question. >> Thank you. >> Hold on. Wait, Michelle, where you knew in advance that that the amount was going to be lower along the line of what D was asking, is there I understand moving the money from title four down to one and got one and two. Anyh who, um is there a certain group of kids that will impact more like like looking even at some of the data we're seeing coming through like you see fourth and fifth grade seems to be in the bottom and talking to counselors at school because my son sees one there. So this is things I've
038heard. I always hear that that class is the worst to come through elementary school ever. Um so is it going to impact kids that maybe do need more help than the ones that the early intervention that you're looking at? Um it's unfortunate, you know, the state used to have a program for intervention for like preeies and stuff and that's gone. Um so is there is that that analysis coming into play as well as like >> kids that are still having a tough time >> versus early intervention? Is there a way to balance that out? >> Yeah, what I would say is that every school does a comprehensive needs assessment as part of this work and so an element of that is taking a look at at all of the data. So when I say early
039intervention, that doesn't necessarily just mean pre preK kindergarten first. It means more maybe preK5 compared to 612. Um and so with those comprehensive needs assessments or CNAs, you know, um principles and buildings are looking at data and they're looking at what are the needs, what are the strengths so that when we create some programming and we're looking at where do those resources need to go, they're being focused in those areas. That helps. >> Yeah. >> Turn your mic back. Oh, hold on. Is there a way to potentially like is there representatives to write regarding this lack of funding? Is there a way to like do do we know why it won't going down? Is this is that that question that's just inquiring minds want to know? >> Yeah, I mean the research that I've done
040is that there are these formulas that are set by the state and the federal government. Um, in terms of who to write to, I'm not sure, but um, >> is a formula of the state. >> It's a formula, the state, and Yeah. >> Yeah, just write everybody. >> Thank you. >> Whoa. Thank you. That was great. Thanks for sharing. Um, is this the first time we've opened it up for public comment? >> No. Um, I there was a form last year. Um, I know I looked at some of the data when I first came on July 1st and met with some people who had asked to to speak with me as part of that form. So, >> how did it go and and did you use any of it, I guess. >> Yes. I mean,
041yeah, I mean, it's it's feedback. We consider it and and think about how does that fit in with the needs that we're seeing as a district. >> Great. Well, hopefully you get lots of great feedback this year as well. >> Yeah. Thank I I think sharing it at the schoolboard level hopefully adds some >> this is a requirement and I know that it's happened every year since I've been here >> usually in curriculum. We usually actually have a public forum as well that is not attended by anyone. We we've tried to increase attendance by having students come in and present. One year we had Lyman come in and present about their student council during that. Another time we had our ROC program come in and talk and also present. Um, typically the uh I can't
042say unilaterally but typically most of the feedback comes from administrators and it comes from schoolboard members. So this is a great example of we want uh people say they want an opportunity to share input. we really would love to receive some input um because it really does inform um what we do at at a pretty high level. >> I just had a follow-up question. Sorry. Um the breakdown of the years. So 2026 money that's like currently right now or this coming school year. >> That's so that's what we're operating with this this school year. >> Yes, this school year. And there's um so what could you just give us a like a maybe just some um highlights of what the increase in these budgets have been able to provide for the district um in the
043sense of you know supporting students and all those levels. Um because it has it looks like that you know I know there was some transferring of money to be able to supplement some of those things but you know with the increase of money what kinds of things were we able to highlight? So the bulk of that money does go towards salaries and benefits. So some of those interventionists that we're paying at the elementary schools and luckily all five of our elementary schools are qualified as title one schools this year which means and they're also schoolwide so we can use the money for all students and all staff within that building which is pretty phenomenal. So the bulk of the money goes there. Um we also have funds that go towards family engagement. So like Walker
044talked about the Jedi night at Shappley and so um that goes to that. uh we were able to coordinate with adult ed to bring some um some family engagement series there as well. Um title 2 does provide for professional development. So some of those interventionists bringing specialized professional development for them so that they can do the work with students. Um so those are the kinds of things that go above and beyond what we're able to afford with local funds. Great. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Sure. Any other questions? >> One one thing that is really critical because most people wouldn't understand this. All this title funds cannot supplant local funds. So, it's really added extra. I I only share that because I think sometimes it'd be easy. I remember being a really young teacher
045and not understanding it at the time and I thought, "Wow, so that's going to help with taxes and all." It actually does not. It just gets it provides more resources in the areas of greatest need. So not all schools are equal when it comes to title funding based on formulas. >> Yes. Thank you. That it has to supplement not supplant the work that we do. >> Thank you, Mr. Switch. Okay. Thanks. Yeah. >> All right. Next up, selection of the school board scholarship recipients. So, quickly for newer board members, we have been So, the school board has a scholarship account that's funded by school board members. We award um a couple scholarships every year. We started this selection process maybe three or four years ago. All of the applications go to the HR committee who
046review those thoroughly and then narrow it down to a set of finalists for the full board to choose from. um where it is our scholarship. I really felt a couple years ago that we should be the ones that are choosing who receives it. So um but to because we don't want word to get out on who is getting them before graduation comes, we go with just numbers only. All the information is redacted. So I'm quickly going to go around the room. If you can give me your first choice and your second choice by number, that's it. and then I will get that information over to the high school as to who will be awarded the scholarship and I will follow up after graduation for anyone who is not able to make graduation to let you
047know who received the scholarship. So Anastasia >> one and two four and you can pass if you weren't able to I forgot to put that point if you weren't two One deep. >> Jen, two and three. Two and four. Adam, >> Tom. All right, Michelle. and four. Amy, four, >> four and three. >> One, four, >> one and four. Thanks everyone. That was nice and quick. Oh, two. Yeah. So, there's two schoolboard scholarships that will be awarded. So two 750 >> I'll get back to you on the school board scholarship. >> I was looking for one. >> All right. Next up we have several nominations this evening. We have one that was added. We'll start with that one. Alexis Nunes, a social worker, uh, special education. Katherine Fipers, grade six teacher at Massbek Middle School.
048Grace Dumond, grade one teacher at Line Elementary School. Charlie Tucker, fourth grade, Line Elementary School. And Karen Betts, occupational therapist. That is a district position. So, those nominations are before you for uh approval. something nominations. >> We have a motion. >> Who was the second? Jen. >> Not sure. >> So, Anastasia and Jen, that was you. Think you were like a hair. All right. Any discussion on the nominations? All those in favor? All right. Thank you very much. Next up, we have a couple policies up for first read. Beth, I'm much more prepared for this one. Um, okay. So, uh, JICJ is coming for a first read. This is due to the new law that I'm sure everybody heard about, um, the cell phone policy, um, and banning cell phones. So, this was read through
049by Mr. Thurlo and Mrs. Grantham um, to compare it to our JFC policy. Um, it is not significantly different than our current policy. We have a well-written policy. Um, there's a few key word changes. We want to stay consistent with the language that the state law is requiring. Things like bellto bell. They're very specific on that. Um, so as a committee, we talked about it, kind of went through it. Um, and we decided to bring forward this new policy to adopt this one, um, the JICJ. And then if this goes through and is adopted then we will bring forward um removal of our JFC policy at a future meeting. Um so that is that one. You want me to go through all three? >> You can can I add one quick thing about um JICJ?
050So there has been some discussion about um the verbiage in the policy about what a personal device encompasses. So there's been talk amongst like tech directors in districts whether that also includes um personal laptops that students might use in place of a schoolisssued device. So um for now it sounds like the language is more geared towards personal communication devices. So cell phones, Apple watches, those types of things. So I wanted to throw that out because it's kind of been discussed so we can Did I miss anything, Shane? So, it's been discussed and that way while you're considering this before it comes for a second read, um if you have any questions or anything, Beth would be happy to answer them. >> Yes. Okay. Um you want me to do the rest of them? Okay. Um
051the next one that's coming forward is IA. This one has uh I can't remember what it's called. Instructional goals and learning objectives. Um this one has significant changes and it's aligning it with the guiding principles of Maine's system of learning results. Um, and Mrs. Twitchell did a great job going through all of this. She also went through and included our RSU57 goals for graduates um, from our strategic plan. And so we thought that due to the how much has changed in it, the language in it, we thought that that should come forward for a first read so everybody can kind of read through it. The second the third one is IHB AI. This one was also overhauled. There was a lengthy discussion that I watched. Adam, aren't you so proud? Um, and uh, I had
052to skip out for this last one. So, this one was overhauled um, for clarification uh, cleaning up specific process um, for independent evaluations. It was a little uh, muddied as um, his name is now gone, but um, yes, Tim said it was muddied. Uh, so this one is coming forward because of the amount that was overhauled throughout it for clarification. >> Thank you. Do we have a motion to accept the first read of those three policies? Judith and D. Any discussion? So as always between now the second read needs to be done uh within eight weeks of the first read. So if you have any questions or concerns or suggestions for those policy committee is not planning on meeting again but certainly bring those to our policy chair and vice chair um before we do
053the second read which will most likely be at our June 10th meeting. So because the next one I think is going to be a little busy. So we'll we'll do those as a second read. So we have a motion and a second. All those in favor of accepting the first read. That carries. Thank you. >> Next up, can I have a motion to enter into an executive session to discuss a student matter pursuant to one MRSA 4056B? >> We have a motion. Who was a second? >> D. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? That carries. Thank you. We are in executive session at 6:50 him. Uh what is the direction of the board. >> I make a motion we expel student A indefinitely with a road map for return >> and
054D second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? That motion carries. Administration's going to speak with you about next steps. Uh calendar announcements at the bottom of your agenda and we are adjourned.