001Good evening one and welcome to the SACO school board meeting for what is Wednesday January 14th at 7:04. I do apologize for the small delay. We would like to make note of all members of the school board present this evening including Superintendent Ray. And would you please join me for the pledge of allegiance. Great. Thank you very much everyone. Okay, next item. Item three this evening is the school board minutes dated for December 10th, 2025. Is there a motion? >> Madame Mayor, >> school board member Truman. >> I move we approve the school board meeting minutes dated December 10th, 2025. >> Thank you. Motion has been made. Is there a second? >> Second by school board member Richards. >> Any discussion on those minutes? >> Okay. Roll call vote. School board Waroff? >> Yes. >>
002School board member Prebble? >> Yes. >> School board member Richards? >> Yes. >> School board member Roach? >> Yes. >> School board member KD? >> Yes. >> School board member Truman? Yes. >> And school board member Johnson? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70. >> Okay. There are no adjustments to the agenda this evening. There are no correspondents. Next up is public session. If there are any members of the public wishing to speak, please step forward to the podium, state your name and address, and you will have three minutes to address the school board. Okay, not seeing any members seeking recognition. Moving on. All right, so we did have a change in the agenda. We are going to move item nine up, and that is the staff reports. And I believe that we have a special
003group of students here to give us an update this evening. Thanks for having us all here tonight. I'm going to let everyone here introduce themselves, but I want to give a big thank you to our best buddies program at CK Burns. It includes many more students that are here tonight, but I'm really thankful for our student representatives and Mr. Goule is going to give a brief overview of Best Buddies. We have a video which includes more of our participants and then each of our members student population is going to speak tonight. So, thank you for having us. >> Welcome. >> Good evening. My name is John Goule and I have the honor of working with some truly amazing students at CK Burns. I am one of the staff adviserss for Best Buddies as well as
004Unified Sports. This fall, we set the bar high with a schoolwide kickoff event. As an educator, I truly believe Best Buddies reinforces an important message for our students. You cannot judge a book by its cover. The program fosters inclusion, empathy, and meaningful connection among all students. At this time, we'd like to share a short video highlighting the voices of our students. >> Um, it's a new experience and there's always something new to do and eat and have fun with. Honestly, the thing I always like is the friends. They always act like family. >> I like that I can do fun activities with other kids and make new friends. >> Cookies. >> Ending isolation for people with intellectual and [music] developmental disabilities through one-on-one friendships and leadership. >> It's that we get to meet new friends
005and mostly the fun. Yeah. And yeah, the music's never been so clear. It goes n Yeah. Everything I need right here. And oh yeah, all my worries. Yeah. To the world you may just be one person, but to one person you may be the world. N. [singing] Hey. Hey. Hey, >> I see you standing there with your hands tight. >> Carrying the weight of all you feel inside. >> GIVE IT UP. Raise it up. Let it out. Tonight [music] with the crowd all around. Set it right. Let the crowd be the spark as the music shouting high. >> Best Buddies help start conversations and break down barriers. For students who may not always have the chance to connect with others, his programs open doors to friendship and inclusion for all. That was the vision behind
006Best Buddies International. Founded in 1987 by Anthony Friber. For one chapter at Georgetown University to chapters across the world, together we have sparked a global movement of inclusion and lasting friendships because everyone deserves to have a better study. I see you standing there with your hands held tight. carrying the weight of all it all around. Set it right. It all the set it along the rising light. One day someone will ask if you want to join Best Buddies. It's very important that you say yes. >> Thank you school board leaders us for having us today. Hi, I'm Sophia Goodchild. I am a member of Best Buddies. I've been doing it since the third grade. It started off with unified sports. Then I knew I wanted this to be a big part of me. Best Buddies
007has teached me to be a good friend to everybody and I hope that I have more opportunities to talk about Best Buddies in my life just like this. And I give a big thank you for being part of Best Buddies today. Hi, my name's Harper Marott. I'm in fifth grade. I joined Unified when I was in third and I joined Best Buddies when I was in fourth. One thing I learned is to be a great friend, which may look like playing with someone who's alone at recess or making friends. I have an amazing buddy. His name is Colton. He is kind, funny, and loves to give hugs. Thank you. >> Hi, I am Wyatt Carrie from CK Burns. I started Best Buddies last year in fourth grade. Even though I had friends, but who wouldn't
008want more? So, when I heard of Best Buddies, I thought, why not spend my free time after school with kids my age and younger? So, the next time I get to ask someone to join Best Buddies, I'm going to take it. My name is Murphy McDougall. I joined the Unified Sports and Best Buddies in fourth grade. I wanted to join because my good friend Lazar is in Best Buddies. My favorite part is soccer. I've learned not to judge a book by its cover because the cover is just the beginning. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to attend and address the school board this evening. Best Buddies typically usually meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, excluding uh early release days. We highly encourage you to reach out to us and come and
009join one of our meetings so you can see firsthand what it's like. You can either reach out to April, Tom, or myself. Thanks again and have a great night. The kids are also prepared if you have any questions for them. >> First off, you guys are doing an amazing job and I would like to give you a round of applause. [applause] Thank you very much. Any questions or comments for the students? Madame Mayor, >> schoolboard member Johnston. >> Thank you. I want to compliment um these best buddies for really presenting very well to us. They did a very good job with a concise presentation, but also everybody spoke into the microphone, which is always awesome. So, we can actually hear you. But I just wanted you to know we really appreciate your presentation. >> Thank
010you. Anyone else? >> Yeah. School member Warner, >> I'd like to comment. Um I I know you guys probably know this already, but you guys make a big big difference in a lot of people's lives, especially your Best Buddies, but thank you. >> School board member Truman. I don't have a whole lot of experience with the Best Buddies program, but I do know that one of my friends runs it at her school and um I've met her buddy that she's had I don't know for 10 or 15 years now and I love him like he's one of my family members and he's he's my my best buddy too. So, um I think what you guys are doing is great and helping other kids who might be alone have some friends and have something to do
011and I think that's awesome. Anyone else? Thank you so much for making a difference in everyone else. >> Thanks everyone. Thank you. [applause] Okay, moving on now. Uh, next item is the superintendence report. Superintendent Ray, >> that's a tough one to follow up on. Um, so just want to uh talk about a couple of different things is we had uh congratulations to our um Sako Middle School students who completed in the spelling bee. This year's uh champion was Torren King Riggs who correctly spelled Frankenstein in round 10 to secure the win. Uh sixth grader Marco I'm gonna I'm gonna push Marionovich, thank you, earn the runnerup position and eighth grader Llaya Goodrich placed third. Uh CK Burns fifth graders will compete in their spelling bee on January 23rd with each school champion advancing on to
012the York County Spelling Bee on February 9th at SMS. Um as you know uh we had Ryan Martin, uh our physical education teacher, break one Guinness World Book of Records earlier this year at the middle school. Uh, but I want to congratulate him again. Uh, as Ryan Martin added a fourth Guinness World Book of Records, uh, last month, breaking his own record, or breaking the record of the most NBA halfcourt shots made in one hour. Um, shooting from the official NBA halfcourt distance of 47 feet, Mr. Martin made 272 shots out of 828. 33% clip from half court. Uh averaging one shot every four seconds and one made basket every 12 seconds over a course of an hour. Go try that one at home. Um pretty impressive. Uh and uh we want to support our
013staff who have um unique uh outside of school talents um when we have them. I also am aware that we have a I guess professional UFC fighter at the middle school uh as a staff member who will be having a professional bout in February. Uh and I'll bring you some information on that. I just you know we have staff that do unique things outside of school and uh need to celebrate those. Um wanted to just wind back the clock just um a little bit to before the holidays. Um and just on behalf of our students, staff, and others uh thank the many local businesses and individuals who provided gifts to our families in need during the holiday season. Uh especially the Bitterford Sako Rotary Club that supported 200 children through the adopt a family program.
014Um, want to thank you to Sweets & Company for adopting Fairfield School and modeling true community partnership. In additional uh in addition to multiple generous donations this school year totaling 6,000, uh, Sweets & Company has invited every customer to round up their purchases to support Fairfield's backpack and snack campaign. So, if you're out there looking for a sweet treat, you can also support the school. Um, I want to thank you to Sherman's Main Coast Book Shop in SACO who donated gift certificates for our spelling bee winner and runner up runners up. Uh, thank you to the Ross senior uh senior center for their donation of handm uh handmade uh knit hats to young school students. Um, SACO's unified sports teams uh are gearing up for another exciting season following February break and our SACO athletes
015are inviting the community to show their support through this year's online apparel store. Um, at Penel printing uh proceed uh from each purchase uh will support unified sports in our communities. Um and orders will be taken through the 31st and delivered to Beach Street location. Uh this time of year for us in our office, uh we have had our first draft of the budget. I've reviewed them. Uh we got everybody in, right? Yeah. All principles and directors have been in. Uh our goal is to have any alterations made by the 23rd is our goal. Uh and then early in February, uh it'll be coming your way. So, we're we're moving right along on that piece. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions or comments for the superintendent? >> Okay, moving on to item nine. Where are
016eight? Uh that is the chair's report. Chair Prebble. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Did I [laughter] >> I know was >> you want Chair Truman. Thank you. All right. I don't have anything to report tonight. >> All set. All right. Perfect. Thank you very much. Okay. Moving on to item number 10. That is the board subcommittee minutes. Um item A is the policy and personnel committee. Minutes are attached to your packet. And the next meeting was this afternoon um at 5:30. The finance and infrastructure committee. The next meeting is January 28th at 4:30. And the curriculum committee, the next meeting is January 12th at 4:30. Oh, I've got January 12th. Sorry. All right. Thank you. Uh, item number 11, there is no old business. Item number 12 under new business. Item A is the current committee
017members and meetings. There is a spreadsheet attached in your packet. Item B is new hires. Is there a motion with the memo in your packet? >> School board member Truman. >> Madame Mayor, I move to approve those listed in the stipen section and issue a stipen contract for the 202526 school year. >> Motion has been made by school board member Truman. Is there a second? >> Second by school board member Richards. Any discussion on the new hires? Okay. Roll call vote. School board member Waroff, >> yes. >> School board member Prebble, >> yes. >> School board member Richards, >> yes. >> School board member Roach, >> yes. >> School board member KD, >> yes. >> School board member Truman, >> yes. >> And school board member Johnston, >> yes. >> Motion passes 70. >> Okay.
018Item three under resignations. There is a memo, but there is no motion needed for those. Item D is a building update. And it looks like we have three items, groundbreaking, progress report, and other. Superintendent Ray. Uh, Madame Mayor, do you mind if I can just go back to superintendent's report as I skipped an item that I would like to highlight? >> Sure. >> Um, just we put a memo uh in your packet around our bus safety campaign. Uh certainly a lot of uh people asking questions uh as we've had two horrible tragedies in the state of Maine um on buses and um we felt the need to um take some local action but we didn't necessarily communicate. We were getting a lot of questions of what we were doing but we didn't necessarily hadn't communicated
019that yet. Um we'll be meeting with all bus drivers next week just to help them understand uh that we're there to support them. Take it slow, think about um you know all the things that they have on their plate while they're trying to navigate kids to and from school and you know if being a few minutes late is really okay. Um, we also know that traffic concerns and and needing to educate our public about the school bus safety. [clears throat] We'll be bringing students into assemblies after vacation to help them a refresher on the safe practices around school buses. Um, and then we'll also be working uh we've been working with our police chiefs and others to form u a to film a local PSA uh public service announcement um around school bus safety uh
020to get that out there. As you know, as parents, what do we need to focus on? Students, what do we need to focus on? And then other community members, we know that mornings can be tough. We know that sometimes little ones can be slow getting on buses just like middle school and high school kids can be slow getting on buses. Um that it's important not to be impatient behind the wheel. Um because there's been obviously too too many accidents in the state of Maine this year and we want to make sure that we are communicating out. So, sorry I forgot that piece during superintendent's report, but felt like that was important to get out there of some of the work that we're doing. >> Great. Thank you. Okay, moving on to item D. That is
021the building update. >> So, want to thank all of those first who could attend the groundbreaking um as that was a big day for us a little over a month ago. Um, but for any of those who have driven by the site, um, things change every single day, way faster. Now, I think that the construction company, based off the feedback I had today, wish the weather had stayed a little bit colder, a little bit longer, uh, because I think we're experiencing a high level of mud out there right now. Um, but in your report, there is a progress report that we plan to put together for you guys every two weeks that is a snapshot of the daily reports that uh we receive. Certainly, I'm not going to read these every two weeks because they're
022there for the public and for you guys to read. Um, but from a ground work standpoint, you can probably walk to the the river at this point or the brook at this point. Um there's a lot of clearing is pretty level. The second road off Milbrook based off a picture Meg sent me this afternoon seems to be in. Um and we'll start taking deliveries that way. And it looks like we're in a good place. Uh at least what we're hearing today is that you know they're talking about foundation in March. Um we're not seeing any evidence of that slowing down. Um we have been talking with the butters about um the intersection and the access that we're going to need u because that process will be uh starting. We've had a couple of phone calls
023with people this week uh just to make sure that we have the right paperwork and that people fully understand um what's going on and the progress and the timeline. And u we're going to keep you updated this way every two weeks uh with you can expect a memo like this with some visual pictures uh on the agenda. Happy to take any questions if I can answer those. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions or comments? School board member Roach. >> Um this might be for the city too, but um has there been any news of main DOT for Route One? Any any changes? I was asked by a couple of business owners if um if uh Route One um you know just we we have interest of course in the turnoff lane um on the but
024just in terms of um any any road work slowing the traffic down on Route One. Um anything from their side? >> I haven't nothing's come our way on that piece. We did we were supposed to similar to the pilot program that we did in front of TA with the um speed bumps. We were going to do a road diet um with GP COG and PAX. Unfortunately, they did not get the funding for that for us. So, that was on hold right now. Um and again, that was going to be a pilot program to see if certain aspects worked on that stretch. But outside of that, we have not heard anything. Um, we do have a traffic safety committee meeting and I can follow up and see what we might have in the works coming down
025through, no pun intended. >> Um, also, uh, the abutters, you're talking about the abutters that are at the intersection at Route One. So, have they complained to you about um I think they should look forward to the school doing something because or the school project pushed something because that that if anyone's experience to go out to check it out, that dip uh really takes out car certainly smaller cars, but even big trucks are going to have problems. >> Haven't heard anything yet. Um >> the abutters that I talked to were pretty much like, "Yeah, we kind of see something going on over there." Um and so um the deliveries will you know once the foundation is then you're going to start seeing a lot of deliveries and action on that site. I mean the expectation
026is that there could be up to different employees or or or people subcontractors working on the site any given day. Uh that was the number we got mag 200 right I think it was at you know um >> well Beth's the foreman how how many people are there Bethly [laughter] that number >> but I mean even right now with the groundwork would you say Don probably 25 30 people out there right now uh working so you you know, the works the work's going on. I haven't heard that piece. I mean, most the the ones that I've talked to um we were talking more of I've had the conversations about sidewalks and people excited that they like you mean I'd have a sidewalk here? Yes. Um and so at least right now that was a very
027positive uh certainly um conversations with um Jack, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, whatever that's there. Um talking to them about the sign. We spoke with them to about the signs today and what we need to do with that piece. And you know their concerns obviously are related to like this isn't going to be down for six months, is it? So we're working through all of those pieces to make sure that businesses in that area have some feedback and you know thoughts in the process and how we can avoid interruptions to the best of our ability and work those into the contracts now um versus trying to get that in later >> with the uh road forming um still discourage people from like going out walking out there let >> Yeah, that's going to be an active construction
028zone. Yeah. >> Um I think one thing that the view has definitely from Milbrook it, you know, now you can see it. >> Yeah. >> Um you know, probably the best view is for someone who is driving down Milbrook and turning around and riding back through and you can just look and see uh where this is going to be. And that obviously will be something I suspect um we'll be dealing with over the next several months around the fact of people will be curious. they will want to go down. They will want to um see what's going on and watch the project, you know, as it develops, you know, fairly quickly. I mean, I don't know if we have a given timeline, but based off the other projects I've seen is once the foundation is
029down and ready, steel starts to go up fairly quickly. So, no trespassing. That means you jazzer size crowd. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Madame Mayor. >> Yes. School board member Warnoff. >> We're still slated for opening 2028 though. Fall of 2028. >> That's the plan. >> Okay. Moving on to item F. That is the fiscal year 279-12 projects and fiscal year 26 tuition tuition costs. Okay. So, uh, looking at tuition costs, uh, first thank Marie for pointing out an error that I made in the reversal on the spreadsheet. Um, and to get that correct. Uh, it still seems a little bit foolish that we have to wait until the middle to end of December to figure out exactly what tuition is going to be and guess. And I think we were at like 6.79%
030increase or something. The the formula ran out quite a ways um for us. But from a budgetary standpoint uh for this year's budget, we're in pretty good shape because we are projected 820 uh 820 students. Um, as I move things forward to next year, uh, because we are working on, uh, the budget, the one piece that we do get to kind of solidify in the budget is what those tuition costs will be uh, fairly early. And based off the numbers, I've put uh, estimated 917 students. that gives us that we had kind of looked for that 25 student buffer uh and tried to be in that same range. Uh looking at percentage increase uh again I have 6% IVF uh right now budgeted at a 10% increase. Uh so you can see our per pupil
031cost. Uh I've put 7% on special education for right now. Uh and then obviously a staff member for multilingual learners um which increases our cost uh next year. Basically you're going to look at about a $ 1.5 million increase in the budget um for 9 through 12 uh tuition cost based off what we have uh today. Thank you. Any questions or comments regarding that? >> Okay. So from the sorry um for the budget just compared to what we budgeted last year there isn't an actual column in here but from the budget you're looking at 1.5 million that that's a 9% increase. >> Yep. And then the per pupil cost if if pupils were the same just from a per pupil level, you're going up 16%. >> Correct. Okay. >> Or whatever that math figured out.
032I don't have that right in front of me, but I'm going to trust that you figured that out. >> That's well Yeah. Just wanted to address that. But you're still going to budget um the students were 920 budgeted and the fixed number for the for the October number was 8.91. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, we're always going to cushion us what we've done is 25 um historically within within a range. I think my projection last year because again we didn't have um definite knowledge when we were budgeting last year exactly what was going to happen uh with the hotel situation. So that has some impact on that number um being you know 29 below I think at one point this year we might have been at like one 8.93 at the beginning or 8.95 that
033settles out um and again looking at where we're at. We have the numbers of kiddos at TAMs. We'll look at any of the that are local residents. We then need to look and make sure like St. James, any of the other private schools that tend to come over. There's always a handful. There's also a handful of kids typically who have been historically homeschooled that may now decide to go to high school. So, that kind of can be a surprising number. And then also looking at any development that may happen in the city. You know, again, I don't necessarily tend to worry about apartments don't tend to be a driver. It's any new subdivisions that tend to bring kids. Then, um this is an estimate, >> correct? When when is the um when do you anticipate
034the first budget draft uh presented here? >> Probably right after February vacation. >> So later in February. So from now until later in February um you know with Thornon Academy we can still talk back and forth about some of these estimates if Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. Because again like um in the past kind of just uh about probably mid-March already with special education numbers you can go for it. Correct. I mean again the driver for both of us on all of this is going to be health insurance you know and you know last year on our on the school side we were 12% I don't remember what you said your percentage was but you know and then following the national narrative of what people are talking about health insurance increases that you know Ann Marie
035can hand me a number on March 1st which would be nice wish I we could have that but then I know she doesn't get her health insurance numbers till the end of month and on the special education time it's mostly staff and benefits that if that's you know if we have a year knock on wood that we won't that you know the state band is between say 10 and 18% we're having a very different conversation. Um so initially I I this time I just put a 7% increase on the special education number to start with uh overall and said well maybe that will work uh as a safe place um instead of putting in the same number and then going back and forth. I figured that gave us enough of a buffer that we could,
036you know, handle that. Uh, Zach, I know at one point we had talked about a 10% health insurance and then I talked with Cindy again and said, uh, maybe we should do a 12% and I think that's what we're going to plan to bring is a 12% increase on the first draft of the budget um, for health insurance uh, health insurance rates. Um now when we talk about those things, one of the other pieces that um could be a a a swing out of our budget is that when we've talked about the CDS um funding and the and we're in cohort two and the state funding special education for four year olds a little bit differently. Um there's a pocket of money that's lived in the regular general education budget, the one that you see
037that now will shift into a separate fund because they're not sending that with EPS dollars. are sending that with a different pocket of money, which means that I need to build a budget for that pocket of money, which may strip some costs from the prek through 12 budget that we vote on. That's a little up in the air right now, but that looked like a healthy sum we would be swinging in one direction. Um, so too early to tell exactly what the picture is. Um, you know, Don has done Don and Andrew have done a lot of work on really looking through some of our facilities lines of getting the right amounts in the right places and um so I think we feel pretty good about that. We feel pretty good about capital projects and
038what we want to do next year and you know from a staffing standpoint at least today on the status quo piece we're feeling you know like we have that kind of wrapped around and then we'll kind of that all pulls together look at that final number after the adjustments that we uh talked about this week at our level um and start putting that plan together to see what it looks like and then state funding obviously really dictates a lot of it too. >> Great. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Okay, moving on to item F and that is the STEM plus M presentation. Thank you. Um, Principal Susi and I are here to share with you some information about a program that we've been exploring for probably about six or eight months now. And um, we're
039excited to share a little bit more about the program with you tonight and kind of determine how willing the board is to support this work moving forward. So the title of the program is STEM plus M which stands for the traditional science, technology, engineering and math with an additional M for manufacturing. Um this program came about out of DC and the DC area in response to kind of a national crisis around a shortage of skilled manufacturing professionals. And as those jobs became unfilled, part of the concern was around starting students even earlier in manufacturing careers so that they kind of understood through middle school pathways what options might be available in vocational careers in high school rather than having to wait until high school to understand what manufacturing jobs were available to them. and thus
040kind of already getting into a vocational track without kind of understanding all of the different pathways. And the um folks who have supported this grant really felt like middle school was a critical window in which futures aren't locked in for students and there's a natural curiosity about kind of hands-on careers. and that that would be an opportune time to kind of introduce this so that students have time before high school course selection. So it is a complete education system. It's backed by diversified educational systems which is an organization that writes and develops a lot of the curriculums for vocational programming and pre-ervice job training in the manufacturing area. And what it allows is that they kind of seek out districts that are located near kind of manufacturing hubs. So our proximity to both Portsmith and
041Bath made us an ideal location as well as being able to offer a collaboration potentially with Bifford and SACO together having the same central office that if we were to pursue it, we would have some good crossraining opportunities as well as the experts that are already at the Bifford Vocational Center to kind of understand what that curriculum looks like and help us prepare students for things that they have on offer there. There are kind of three different pieces that it entails. One is a very clear curriculum that has a learning pathway that exposes students which will Marie will share in the next slide to a bunch of different areas. It also includes lab equipment, professionalgrade tools and the technology stations that come along with that. and they they wanted to design this so that they
042could take it anywhere, meaning they wanted to fit everything into a shipping container and then be able to fully outfit a class. So, it really is like including the shelving units and the computer systems and the tables and chairs that you'll get to see some pictures of later. And then they also have ongoing implementation support including training for the staff that would be delivering the curriculum and continuously updated resources. It is a grant-f funded project that would last a full five years and over the course of that year they not only provide the initial startup but they provide reordering for the consumables that are used within those five years. So, it's approximately a half million dollars worth of resources that you're receiving through acceptance of the grant. So, within the curriculum, there are six career
043pathways that instill real world manufacturing skills and mirror industry practices. So students will learn skills needed in each of in various careers some of of which are listed here in the corresponding pathway. So within each pathway there's a hands-on project that guides students through the manufacturing cycle. So some examples of the projects would be um building robots, designing, fabricating and racing CO2 cars or building and uh testing model bridges. So the process that we've been through thus far, so in the spring we met with the STEM plus M team to get an idea of what this process entailed and what we were looking at. Um, some of this work included both facilities directors Don Roth and Andrew Saxa as well as our te technology director Chris Striker to to ensure that we had the bandwidth
044to support all various aspects of this project. Throughout the summer, we re reviewed our space and curricular resources. In the fall, we had the opportunity to visit um a program at BA Middle School that is currently running and were able to bring some teachers there. So, we saw students in action and were able to um chat with the educators there as well as the STEM plus M team and then uh look forward to starting construction hopefully and solidifying the schedule in the spring of this year. So, as Meg mentioned, this is a comprehensive turnkey program that includes all the materials and equipment that are needed. So, we're talking like all the lab furniture um shelving, all lab storage and organizational systems, classroom materials and tools, 3D printers, computers, monitors, all of it is all included
045as well as all the consumable materials that are organized by unit ready for the teacher to use um and replenished each year for the duration of the five-year grant. And you can just see here is just we were in B students using this tool as we were just walking around watching them. And this is just another picture of what the workstations look like. They set up a classroom that would have a capacity of 24 students for each of those classrooms. And then um we had a kiddo in that same class at the same time on a different station soldering um some parts for what he was building there. We were also able to talk to the teaching staff at Bath Middle School as well as their um I think assistant principal or like their principal
046of teaching and learning at that school to kind of learn more. The intent is to get as many students as possible through the full curriculum, but we are kind of looking at it as beginning with more of a choice or electivebased UA option to try to see how we can fit it into our schedule a little bit and we'll um Marie will explain a little bit more about that. So, um, in terms of space, currently the, um, STEM room at Sako Middle School is an L-shape. The right hand side, as you're looking at this photo of that L-shape is the blown up version. And then, um, currently we have a garage door on the end that faces the exterior of the building and it's used for quite a lot of like sports equipment and that
047sort of thing. We have some other areas now in terms of outdoor storage where those things can go as well as some tools that have been in that space for quite some time. So, we're in the process of evaluating and understanding what tools we need to stay in that STEM space. It will um change that STEM space from being over 3,000 square feet now to just over 2,000 square feet for kind of the industrial arts STEM program that we still are going to maintain running. And then we would have a smaller 900 square foot classroom that would have those stations that you saw in the other um photos and in some of those videos. And you can kind of see how that layout and orientation potentially could look within that space. Again, we don't have
048architectural drawings or anything of that nature yet um because we want to make sure that this is something we want to move forward with. So as this is a very exciting opportunity for our students, our recommendation is the adoption of the STEM plusm for the 202627 school year. Um and aligned with that would be next steps of a site visit with the STEM plus M implementation team to the school again to look at the space and to get those drawings made up um for the design of the room. reviewing detailed program schedule. Um we are currently in the process of working through our unified arts schedule to provide more choice to students. So this would be another option for them in terms of choice. So working on that uh unified arts schedules and proposals developing
049an implementation timeline so we could begin this in the fall and then educators would be trained by the STEM plusm team this summer. That is it. Do we have any questions? >> I have a question. A couple of questions. Uh, one, um, you're definitely keeping industrial arts. You're not going to >> Yes, we are. >> Okay. And then the other thing is, um, you said you get a half a million dollars that you're receiving through this grant for five years. What happens when it's awesome and we want to keep it for the next five years? >> So, a couple of things. We don't get the $500,000. So, I want to be clear on that because sometimes some grants we get the money and then we get to dole it out and spend it. And in
050this grant, they're providing everything and it's a value of $500,000 in some total. But the answer to your question of what happens after five years, we keep everything that they purchased for us. We will have to have like recurring consumable costs for the things that you're reordering. And of course, like 3D printers, those soldering irons, they don't last forever. So, we would have to develop some kind of ongoing repair and maintenance schedule. I don't anticipate that it would be $100,000 a year, but I think you're looking at probably a quarter to a half of that to maintain it over time. >> Okay. Thank you. And I want to add one more thing is that we would not right now be looking to hire an additional teacher, but we have a coding program that's like a
051traveling UA and the intent would be to replace that course offering as an additional course offering for STEM plusm in lie of coding or depending on how the choice metrics work out or the UAS work out. could be in addition to coding depending on what we're able to work through schedulewise. >> The other exciting thing is that our educators uh if adopted here wouldn't be going this alone. Um there are it's on tap to have four locations in the state of Maine with Saco Middle School and Bford Middle School each having one of those four locations. um that feeds into the center of technology. The other is in Bath and the other one they're bringing is Lewon um Bath and Lewon is what Paul told me. Uh and then Sako Bford each having that. So
052you know while it's close there will be kinks and learning new learning going on. We have fantastic uh educator who's you know willing to take this on. Um, but there will be new learning, but and having a partner next door so you're not driving to Bath to check something out or driving to Lewon uh would be exciting to think about how we provide these options for our middle school students um in a different way. >> Thank you. Anyone else? School board member Truman? >> Um I know we had talked about this very briefly. Uh I didn't know what had already happened in the background, but um what I had relayed before is that I have very fond memories of middle school um we call it shop class back then, but um making the cars and
053soldering things and all that stuff. Um, so I think this is a great move anytime we can expand our curriculum to help students potentially find something that they wouldn't otherwise be introduced to um, and find a passion for, I think is great to to have and I'm I'm fully supportive of this. So, member Roach, >> yeah, all over this. Um, I actually had a meeting cancelled today uh because of the phone problems around the country on it was more for high school, but the linkups with uh businesses uh on a program similar to this um and to follow up on U board member Warnoff's point about the five years after well the five these five years we're getting this because we're positioned around the industrial parks. What is the plan to communicate with area businesses
054um that students can actually go see um see what they make, but also they could also help contribute um and get them locked in, you know, for five years from now. Um I relate a story why it's so important for the the kids to get there, but also staff and administration. This is like 10 years ago. The Chamber of Commerce uh sponsored um a trolley rides around both industrial parks, Bitterford and SACO. And I came to the schoolboard meeting or some sort of meeting afterwards and um staff couldn't believe like how much manufacturing was around here. And if staff was surprised, you know, you can bet that a lot of parents and students don't know what's happening around here. So, I think to involve this program, getting a grant, doing the schools, that's great. But
055I I would absolutely start on day one to partner up with the um with the area businesses. And I'll certainly be there. I'll abstain from any vote if it somehow benefits any businesses I'm working on. But, but I I'm I'm here to absolutely, you know, connect those businesses if when you guys are ready. So, but thank you for this. Kevin, one of the other pieces just to kind of piggyback on that is that we know that we've also talked about the need to replace the portable, the one portable left in the district after, you know, and Don is working hard on a plan for that piece so that we can look at how that goes into the budget, but also having the ability um as a middle school with STEM plus with the fantastic programming
056that Sam Blond already has with Jesse Howard in her foods program to be a little bit more intentional from a middle school level about leading kids into the exploration of what could be available for them and whether the next piece is thinking about we've asked our principles to think a little bit about like some of these pieces like is there health fitness that goes into you know we had Jesse's son here talking about uh his experience with uh EMT or athletic training but I sometimes wonder that you know we talk about giving the gift of you know pathways towards many different professions I also think it's as much of a gift to also experience have kids experience that and say I don't want that you know the number of of kiddos over time who you
057know the number of people uh over the course who said I want to be an engineer or I want to do this or I want to do that and then they realize that there's a lot of days where you're sitting in front of a computer all day long that wasn't exactly what they were thinking. That's the best gift that we can give kids is some ability to try and, you know, really give them a pathway in, but also give them a an easy way to say, "No, that's not for me. This is more for me, or this is more for me." Um, and I think that this plus our other options and this kind of taking care of the final space brings us a really unique uh opportunity here to do something that a lot
058of other middle schools uh across the state have tried to do but haven't been [clears throat] able to do and think we can accomplish that here. I think you I think you hit it on the head there though about showing kids one what they potentially could love to do but also what they may not back to my shop thing. I enjoyed that experience but there's no way I was going to be doing that all the time. It was fun for that quarter but I'm I'm done. Thank you. So >> anyone else? >> I just quick I think it sounds like a great program. I was more curious than anything. How long has the Bath uh program been in existence? Do you know? >> This is their first year. >> Oh, first year. >> Yeah. >>
059Okay. >> They I think they have some schools down in like the Virginia, Maryland area and maybe also in Hawaii that have been going for a little bit longer, but this is the first time they've expanded beyond that. I'd just be curious too if there's any statistic uh statistics out there that show I guess after middle school if kids continue uh continue on and how you know how that looks. >> Question member KD >> um just in case we don't like come to an actual vote on this or anything I just wanted to give my support as well. Um, I have family members who are both people who took a very long time to find their way to this path and people who knew from a very young age that they wanted to do it
060and to your point, Superintendent Ray, have discovered they hate it. So, I think the sooner we give the kids these options, the better there's like I can't even imagine how much differently those two particular family members' lives would have turned out had they known much younger what they did or did not want to do as adults. Okay, great. Thank you both very much. >> While we're not asking for a full vote because there will be some pieces that will be budget related and stuff, I'm looking here very strongly and seeing an endorsement to move forward on this by the school committee with the nodding of heads. You just always want to be clear about those pieces. So, thank you. >> Okay, moving on to item G. That is the first reading of policies. Is there
061a motion? School board member Johnston. Thank you. Um I move we approve the first reading of policies BDA board organizational meeting BDB school board officers. BDD board superintendent relationship BDE board standing committees. BDE-R board standing committee procedures. BE school board meetings. BEA schoolboard use of email and other electronic communications. BD Be remote participation in schoolboard meetings. BEBB agenda preparation and dissemination. BEB-R agenda format. BCC Nepotism BDG School Attorney Legal Services BEC Executive Sessions BEC-R Executive Session Procedure and Beda Notification of Board Meetings. Thank you. A motion has been made. Is there a second? >> Second by school board member Truman. Any comment or questions regarding those policies? Hey, not seeing any. Roll call vote. School board member Waroff, >> yes. >> School board member Prebble, >> yes. >> School board member Richards, >> yes. >>
062School board member Roach, >> yes. >> School board member KD, yes. >> School board member Truman, >> yes. >> And school board member Johnston, >> yes. >> Motion passes 70. >> Item H is the second reading of policies. Is there a motion? School board member Johnston? >> There is. Let me just preface. Uh well, I just want to say that you can see that the policy committee has been very busy recently because there's a lot of policies here that we were both doing first readings and then the second reading on. Um, I move we approve the second reading of policies BBD, school board declared vacancy caused by absenteeism, BBBE, unexpired term fulfillment/vacancies. BCA, school board member code of ethics, BCB, Board Member conflict of interest. BEDH, public participation at school board meetings at SACO schoolboard
063meetings. BBA school board powers and responsibilities. BBAA board member authority and responsibilities BBA board member qualifications BCAV governance standard JL-E report of dangerous behavior by student BDF board advisory committees. >> Thank you. A motion has been made. Is there a second? Second. School board member Truman. Okay. Any questions or comments regarding any of these policies? >> Okay. Roll call vote. I'm sorry. School board member Roach. >> Sorry. So, first is a question. Um on the school board, the school board member code of ethics. Um it goes through a letters A through R. Does A mean the most important or is it just a straight up list and they're all equally important? They're all important, but I'm just saying is it a certain order? >> Although I did look for that policy earlier today. >> That's
064okay. >> Um I don't know if anyone else maybe Carolyn or >> I have it up right now. They're all equally important. That was going to be my response was I think they're all equally important, but I'm glad that you have it up for us. Thank you. >> I think that was just a different numbering system or categorizing, >> just an itemized list and not a prioritized list. >> 100%. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So, from there um even though um the children are on in in B in in the letter B, you know, we start with the children. I mean, I think that's what we're here for. We're here for the here for the kids. We're here for the whole community, but but you know, I I don't want anyone else anyone to doubt that
065we're not here specifically for the for the kids. Sometimes we get doubted on that, but it's right there right there spelled out. Um my other uh request or maybe clarification is on uh BEDH, public participation at school boards. Um on the top it says um citizens to speak but citizens aren't uh referenced as residents until the bottom of the first page. I want to make it clear that people that speak I this is my preference um people that speak at this microphone are residents of the city of Saco period unless there's some sort of agenda item that involves a company or a neighboring community needs to be SACO residents. We we had this discussion uh during committee and I think we left it open to citizens. It was I think it was meant to be
066for citizens of SACO specifically, but didn't want to specify in case it was a business coming speaking on behalf of like a project. You know what I mean? So, we kind of left it at that. So that's why there's a little bit of both in there, but it's meant to be >> that's why in like a it says citizens and then in parentheses residents. >> Okay. I mean I'm Yeah, I'm okay with >> Yeah. >> If you have agenda items and you have, you know, nexus to the agenda item, but I just don't want some random person from Bangor coming in here. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Okay. If you guys are good with that, that that's I just want a public understanding that that's what that policy means. It's residents here. >> Correct. We had
067to leave it open to some interpretation as far as like we might have staff member, they aren't residents, but they are a staff member here. And then also in case there's a business that's coming to speak related >> um but they're also >> certainly a staff member has nexus to the what's going on here in agenda. Yep. Okay. >> I don't know if Beth if you have another understanding of that then. >> No, I think my understanding is um is similar or the same as that, but I do understand your concern, Kevin. Um and I also wanted to say that I appreciate your thorough examination of these policies. uh is so I mean if if any anytime a board member feels that we need to review something again I think it should definitely be stated
068that way but you're feeling okay at this point with those >> Yeah I'm I'm fine I just want that you know just to say it in public clarification and also say that no matter how much hard work you're all we're all doing to get these policies right we're not going to cover every si single situ situation. So, so the I got I got you game of this policy to that policy. It's like it's not going to be perfect. So, um but uh this great job here though >> we do aim for perfection. >> That's right. >> Being humans and all, it's a little hard. >> If I were modest, I'd be perfect, right? So, >> okay, great. Thank you very much. Anyone else any questions or comments on the policies? Okay. Uh, roll call vote.
069School board member Waroff, >> yes. >> School board member Prebble, >> yes. >> School board member Richards, >> yes. >> School board member Roach, >> yes. >> School board member KD, >> yes. >> School board member Truman, >> yes. >> And school board member Johnston, >> yes. >> Motion passes 70. Okay, now moving on to item I, and that is a list of policies to strike. Is there a motion, school board member Johnston? >> Thank you. Um, I move we strike policies BBA and BBA-R. >> Thank you. Motion has been made by school board member Johnston. Is there a second? >> Second. >> School board member Truman. Any discussion or comment on these two. >> I would just like to say that what we decided when we reviewed these is that they really aren't relevant
070to the way the structure of our government, our administration at this point in time. So that's why these policies were suggested to be strengthened. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Okay, roll call vote. Schoolboard member Waroff? >> Yes. >> School board member Prebble? >> Yes. >> School board member Richards? >> Yes. >> School board member Roach? >> Yes. >> School board member KD? >> Yes. >> School board member Truman? >> Yes. >> And school board member Johnston? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70. Okay, moving on to item 13. There is no other information this evening unless any members wish to share. Schoolboard member Roach almost. But with everything everything going on in the world, um as you know, I kind of joke around up here a little bit kind of reference uh music and
071to relate it to the schools. Um there was um someone I really looked up to that suffered with dyslexia, dropped out of school, but made a big difference in music life, my life, got me through a lot of uh school anxiety myself and um he uh passed away this past week. Um Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. Um he also big sports guy. So if you see uh music bumper music on the NFL games uh that's a reference a lot to to his music and um to honor him uh just say that we're all sane of circumstances and um um you know this must be heaven for him now and thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, moving on to item 14 that is executive session. And is there a motion? >> Madame Mayor,
072>> school board member Truman, >> I move we enter into executive session for labor contract discussions pursuant to 1 MRSA subsection 4056D. >> Motion has been made by schoolboard member Truman. Second by school board member Fribble. >> Roll call vote. Schoolboard member Waroff. >> Yes. >> School board member Prebble. >> Yes. >> School board member Richards. >> Yes. >> School board member Roach. >> Be kind. Yes. >> Member Johnston. >> Yes. Motion to enter executive session at 8:15 passes 70 and we will be downstairs in the conference room. >> Yeah, I think we can adjourn right from there. >> We won't need to come back have any action. >> Okay, we still need to come back and do the official adjournment though. Okay, welcome her back everybody. Is there a motion to exit executive session?
073>> So moved. >> Second. >> That was Jeff. >> All right. Motion made by school board member >> Richards. Second by school board member Roach. Roll call vote. School board member Waroff. >> Yes. >> School board member Prebble. >> Yes. >> School board member Richards. >> Yes. School board member Roach, >> yes. >> School board member KD, >> yes. >> School board member Turman, >> yes. >> And school board member Johnston, >> yes. >> Motion to exit executive session passes 70 at 8:34. Is there a report? >> No report. >> Thank you. And final item of the evening, item 15 is adjournment. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Motion made by school board member Truman. Second. >> Second by school board member Prebble. Roll call vote. Schoolboard member Waroff. >> Yes.
074Yes. School board member Purple, >> yes. >> School board member Richards, yes. >> Schoolboard member Roach, >> yes. >> Schoolboard member KD, >> yes. >> School board member Truman, >> yes. >> And school board member Johnston, >> yes. >> Motion to adjourn passes 70 at 8:34. Thank you everyone and have a great evening.