001Pretty call to order our first meeting of the year. Uh at this time, um before we begin tonight's meeting, I'd ask everyone to join me in a moment of silence as we honor the memory of three members of our RSU 16 community that we have lost recently. um Mike Downing, our school board rep, Julie Perie, our muchloved librarian here at Whittier, and the high school, and Paul Potvin, who has recently retired uh as a transportation as a bus driver for RSU 16. Thank you everyone. Uh I know that we'll do a follow-up email with Mike's service is on August 23rd. You may have seen that uh email come out as to uh some other options for the board to show support uh with his with his dishes and dual flowers. So I think Patrick will
002be on top of that one to be able to send that out. And then Paul's uh some of you have known Paul as he was a driver for us. those. We'll also will share those uh that service announcement once we have that. Julie's was held last week. >> That's all. >> At this point, we'll stand for the pledge of 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. Our mission statement is creating a better future one student at a time. And our first order of business is to elect a chair. Uh I know during our annual orientation that we just held from 5:15 to 6:15 we did talk about policy BDB as well as uh
003the list of chair responsibilities that our outgoing chair had left behind for us. And so just as our to have that as public record uh we did talk about the duties of the chair and BDB talking about uh carrying out these responsibilities of signing uh necessary acts orders uh state requirements. Uh consulting with the superintendent in the planning of the board meeting agendas conferring with the superintendent on crucial matters that may only occur between that may occur between board meetings. appointing subcommittees and other uh committees as exeicial members. Uh calling special meetings of the board, being the public spokesperson for the board at all times except as this responsibility is specifically delegated to others and presiding at and being responsible for the orderly conduct of our board meetings. And then our policy does go on
004to talk about the board chair calls the meeting to order, announces the business, enforces the policies, explains the effects of votes, uh restricts the discussion to the vote that's on on on the table, and then puts the mo the motion to vote, starts that, and then announces the vote results. And that uh is what is in your policy as to what the board chair does. And then in the absence of all of the chair that all of those duties fall to the vice chair. So at this point in time I would ask is there a nomination to elect a chair? >> Like to nominate Sarah Robinson. >> Second. >> Uh sorry. >> Randy nominated Sarah Robinson and that was seconded by Angela. >> Do you accept the nomination? >> We having a discussion about this
005for >> you have to accept your nomination. usually. >> Did she accept it? >> I'll accept it. Okay. >> Are there any other nominations? >> Patrick, >> I'd like to nominate uh Andrea Win. As long as she accepts. >> I do accept. [Music] >> I move nomination cease. >> Do I see you hear a second on the nomination ceasing? Second. >> Yeah. Thank you. [Music] >> All those in favor of >> we discuss. >> Well, we have to close the we have to first close the the nominations and then we discuss. Right. >> No, we have to >> uh so I have a a motion by Steve and a second by Jess to cease nominations. Any discussion on that? Although Steve, >> is there time for one more nomination or is it too late? >>
006No, it's done. >> It's too late unless the motion fails. >> All right, we are voting on ceasing nominations. All those in favor of ceasing nominations. [Music] So now we are back to our our nominations of Sarah and Andrea Win. So discussion on our nominees. >> Joe, >> uh same question for both of you. Why would you like to be the board chair? Sarah, >> I think that there is a big responsibility as a chair to um navigate the board, I guess. And no one is going to be able to fill Mary's shoes at all. And the idea that things can be delegated. So, you don't have to be a retired individual. You can be a chair um with responsibilities. And I think that I I could handle that. >> Um I want to be
007chair because um after my first stint, I did the negotiations for the staff. Um I've done the budget negotiations. I've been to the conferences. Um I have the time. I um I don't see that anything on this list I would have to delegate. I'd be able to do the whole list um easily. Um and I kind of want to I know I can't film Mary's shoes, but I I want to keep up her tradition and how well we get this board running. And I think a big part of it was because of her leadership and I hope to step up and be that leader. >> Other discussion? Steve, >> would either of you like to add to what you've already said? >> I can't. >> Anything else? >> I think that the board chair is
008a direct reflection of the entire board. um you have to listen to everybody's input and work collaboratively and attend many functions and be a good voice and I I don't have anything else to say I guess I wonder >> um yes I think that the chair is is the representation of the board and um like I've done in the past with the MS SBA uh policy meeting to throw everything out to the board and have you guys uh you know decide on which way it is and that was extremely helpful and I think that's the role of the chair too is to distill everybody's opinion into what the board is going to do and be able to represent that. But yes, I think um we need to be collaborative and input from everybody not just
009you know one or two people >> other discussion to vote then at this point in time I'll call the vote to be I'll ask you to vote for either Andrea or Sarah. I do have our weighted votes out here. Uh so that way I can record who has voted for who and then we can tally up if we need to with the weighted votes. >> Would that cause a weighted vote? >> I think so. >> Are you sure? >> Well, any of your votes do the weighted votes. So I believe that's the the best step. All right. So our first was uh Sarah uh was our first nominee. So I will look if you are electing Sarah as the board chair please raise your hand now. Angela, Randy, um, Steve, Gavin, just whatever and if
010you are voting for Andrea to be our board chair, Adria Joe Patrick and Steve Turner. So it is an 8 to4 vote. So tallying the weight of votes is not necessary at this time. We do have a board chair and that is Sarah Robinson. Congratulations. Turn the meeting over to you now. So do you want to uh change seats? So to elect the uh >> Is there okay [Music] do I have to [Music] help your >> I know I was not finding my seats here. I don't know if that's going to stay on. [Music] You probably chose >> the right sign seating. [Music] All right, we are looking for nominations for vice chair. >> Look to nominate Emily Renitch. >> Did you >> Emily Renich? >> Emily. >> Sorry, Steve. >> Yes. Do we have
011a second on? Did I I might have missed a second for Emily's nomination. Joe nominated. >> I know. I raised the motion. >> Okay. Second. Okay. Can I nominate someone else, too? >> Mhm. Can I nominate Patrick Irish, please? >> I'll accept. >> CeCe nominations. Motion >> Yeah. >> Okay, Steve. CeCe nominations. >> Pop me right into it. Second. >> Any discussion on ceasing nominations for vice chair? And all those in favor of ceasing nominations for vice chair is unanimous. And so honor Oh, sorry. No, you are fine. You are fine. >> I don't mind. >> I turned it over to >> I don't mind the assist. >> Oh cat. >> So we have two nominations and the first one that we would need a vote on is Emily >> Renich. Is there any discussion?
012>> Are we voting first? >> Oh, discussion. I'm sorry. I'm so confused. >> Sorry. >> Getting our legs. >> All right. So, so I have I do have a discussion question. I'll ask the same question of the two of you. Why would you like to be >> because you accepted you, but why would you like to be the vice chair? I well I accepted because I would be happy to take on that responsibility. It's um I think at when we talked about this we weren't really sure what was going to happen here today. I know there's kind of a lot of talk about who's going to fill these positions as we move forward but um I knew that I couldn't take on the full responsibility of the chair. So, I'm happy to be the support
013as a vice chair, but I also will say right now that if you're still interested in that position, that's not something that I feel like I need to do right now in my life. >> Um, so I mean, I know I accepted it, but at the time there's only one nomination. So, I don't feel super passionately about that. Like, I'm always here to help. I feel like So, I don't know if I withdraw my acceptance of that. We can just >> say yes begrudgingly about that. I'm happy but I'm also not happy not to get elected. >> Yes. >> Does I'll take it from there. Um so I think I bring a pretty level head um to the vice chair role in support of Mary last year. um I was we were able to bounce
014opinions off each other very easily and um respectfully. Um most of the time we did agree on everything. Um and I believe that I bring a little bit of an outside eye to a lot of things. A lot of um didn't exactly grow up in RSU16. So I grew up and take my knowledge from where I grew up in uh in Lake Region and I think I can bring those like idea outside ideas into the board and help the board along with that growing up outside rather than things that haven't done um for years. Um I think that I am okay with technology and understanding how to use it effectively and how to help the board move along. I love like the idea of sending an automated message. I hope to be able to help
015bring that to fruition for the board to bring effective communication to the community members um with specific timelines like we'll get back to you within 48 hours, let's say, for and our goal is under 24, right? Um, and so I'm excited if I am nominated or if I do get elected to vice chair to help Sarah fit within the role. And while she can be in the district full-time, I am in Westbrook uh five days a week, so it's a little bit harder for me to be seen within the district um during the daytime. Um otherwise, I hope to be chair as well. >> Thanks, Patrick. So are you withdrawing then or >> if I can I mean I think that would be appropriate at this point but >> yes >> unanimous at least withdrawing
016>> I'm right so we would need a vote for Patrick all those in favor >> of of yes Patrick. Hi, Patrick. Congratulations. [Music] >> Sarah. Sarah, can I just ask us all on behalf of my friend Steve and probably myself, too, can we all speak like we're trying to hit the far corner of the room because it's really hard to hear people in here. >> So, just remember, talk loud. >> I'll try to talk loud. >> All of us. You, too. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Schoolboard meetings are conducted for the purpose of carrying on the official business of the school system. Meetings of the school board are open to the public. Although school board meetings are not public forums, the school board will provide appropriate opportunities for citizens and employees to express opinions and
017concerns related to the matters under consideration by the school board within the guidelines set forth in the schoolboard policy behind meetings. And we do have one public comment, the Poland FFA [Music] Who would you like us to >> anyway? Um, hi, my name is Sar, president of FFA. Um, I started RSA chapter here at, um, the high school here back in March. I brought my chapter state. This is my vice president. This is Leah, my secretary, and this is Nolan, my treasurer. Um, I brought everyone back to state convention, and we can see it in team livestock evaluation, which is focusing on um evaluating livestock and reasons about who you are about livestock. Um we evaluated cattle, sheep and just cattle and sheep with no pigs or goats. But um we ended up getting high
018overall livestock judging team at the state level and we are here requesting permission to be able to go to Indianapolis in October to compete at the national level. Um we are conducting fundraising. We've been fundraising for the past over the summer and we had we've already had quite a few sponsors. Um so yeah, >> we were told we had to come and ask >> Okay, >> Joe, >> I may be the only one here that doesn't know what FFA stands for. Um FFA stands for food farmers of America, agricultural education leadership association. Um kids in FFA get to learn about agriculture in um various event. We competed an event called a career development event. Cool. >> Um which is evaluation and then I I also competed in a leadership development development event called public health
019speaking. It's where I was given I had three out of the pack. I picked one and I was given 30 minutes to prepare a speech. Um, and then I ended up competing in that and I also won that at the state level. Um, unfortunately can only compete in one event at nationals. So I chose to go compete at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts in early September instead of going to national chose to go with >> a great >> um was there FFA at this school before or just you brought this on? Um, so there was no FFA chapter when I came to Poland. I've been in and out of your middle school and I'm currently a rising freshman, but I was in I was in and out of your middle school between seventh
020and eighth grade trying to figure out where I belong as a student and what fit best for me. Um, and then I started I was here in seventh grade. Um, I transferred from middle head and gray. Um, and I tried to start an FFA chapter. I just got stuck at a roadblock. I was kind of really confused on where to go. And then back in January, my mother, also my advisor, met um Emily Zerty. She's the state le and she's the advisor for me association and she helped direct us into starting an FFA chapter. So, um we got that officially established in March. And then Daniel, the eighth grade science teacher high school also is one of my adviserss. So, >> yes. Will um Mr. not be traveling with you guys to the competition? >>
021Um no because he did not have that planned in his schedule. So my just my mom my other So it's going to be me uh sorry my mother myself and Leah questions. I I love what you guys are doing and trying to do, but I have to ask the ugly question because of our outlook, budgetary outlook. Where are you at with your uh budget and uh how much help will you need from the school system? >> Currently, we are able to self-sufficient um through fundraising. Um my farm and um our one of my my family's farm, we we fund raise and help convention. Um but we are we are very we are very capable of being self-sufficient and not needing school budget um help and eventually be nice in the future. But it's taught them
022a lot of things. >> Yes, in the future it's there will be money hopefully maybe sometime in the next 5 years. I'm really hoping. Another thing I'm also working on is that when I leave Poland and graduate, I want this to still be a thing. I want to find someone who's as passionate as I am in this. Um, so it it was very it was very complicated starting to Oh, excuse me. It was very complicated to start FFA. Um, I don't have that many members, but I established this team >> and kind of that was what really helped me really grow hopefully grow this organization. >> Yeah. So, is it middle school and high school kids? >> Middle school and high school. Um, for this past school year it was only middle school, but now
023that I'm moving up into the high school, I'm going to try to open it up to high school students and hopefully make more. >> Great. >> So, we have to approve that wasn't only Can we put this in? How does that work? Do you understand what I'm trying to >> Yeah, I just think there was like a a mis miscommunication there. Mr. King is exactly right of coming before the board to ask for permission for that. Typically, it's under a presentation part as to the out ofstate travel. So, I think there is that like we had the no surprise, but this is sort of like the hey, we're here and we definitely have that support. So, I do wonder what the board is thinking and feeling like. Do you have enough information to vote on
024allowing the FFA chapter to travel out of state or do you want to put that on your September um so you have a little bit more time to mull it over? Jess, >> my only question is usually um a teacher or a staff member comes with the group of students and then they I don't know that they necessarily lead, but they're very involved in the planning and they travel with the students. I'm just not sure where our policy is on if that it would be required for Mr. Not to go with you. Maybe you guys have talked to Mr. King about it. >> Yes, I also talked to Mr. King about it. My mom has got my mom has her background check because she also volunteers at Consolidated School. So, she has her background check.
025She's been very involved in the planning. She has done Mr. has done a lot of the stuff on the state and national levels for paperwork and online stuff and he also did a little bit of stuff with us in the classroom. Um, but my my mom has decided to come for us as an advisor and we got state approval from our from our state staff for her to be an advisor. um cuz she doesn't have a degree in education or anything but we got um she has she has her bachelor's so we got our state to approve her opinion her is common it sounds like that people like the other schools but it depends which schools up north this is like a whole take is like a whole thing but where it's new down here
026and like I'm volunteering my time it's not aotted through budget. So like Emily the one from the state level said there are other chapters that do have the same states situation. We can do whatever permission slips are needed for the RSC side of things, but the state has some like I took them up to the board for state convention um back in May. Um and we did the permission slips through the state level because it's all prefer but like um we're going to the bank tomorrow. They're going to have their own account because funded through that what they do. So I'm gonna work with the treasured us money in there. They already have almost $2,000 today and tomorrow and we are expecting because they want our so we've been working with the state office to
027get nonprofit. So we have all the nonprofit paperwork filled out the bank. So there's been multiple steps of things that have come. So it's kind of those I was really sure how I've been relying on the state level and that's kind of how we directed where we've so that's why we're trying to get all that stuff done. >> So I think it comes down to your definition in your policy. So policy JA so it does talk about other school sponsored trips like we do have Kristen Ross here to talk about the PRHS learning through travel. Uh school sponsored trips are those that are organized and conducted by one or more employees of RSU6 as a supplement to the curriculum as a class social activity or an activity planned by a student club or organization. Such
028trips include overnight long distance and out of state travel or foreign travel. To be school sponsored, the trip must relate directly to the curriculum or to the activities for which the student club is organized. Participation in such trip is entirely voluntary like you've you know you've approved the travel to and you'll approve more travel tonight or consider that approval. And then it does pop down to non-school sponsored travel. Travel organized by RSU 16 employees, parents or others that is not an extension of the instructional program or school sponsored activity and has not been approved as a school sponsored trip in compliance with this policy will be considered a nonchool sponsored trip. >> So do they not even need our permission? >> That's what I'm thinking. All responsibility for non-school sponsored trip lies with the individual
029or the groups organizing them. The RSU6 school board accepts no responsibilities for the non-school sponsored trips and organizers should be aware that such trips or excursions are not covered by the school unit's liability insurance. Uh to minimize the impact of these trips, they should be scheduled during weekends or vacation periods. staff members are or parti or participating in non-school sponsored travel must notify the building principal of such plans. You can be absent for up to five days. >> Yeah. And relating to that as well, um national convention does fall in late October. I believe we are leaving on October 27th and we're going to be back around November 2nd or 3rd, not century. I have to go back and look at our hotel dates on that schedule, but it will fall during school days. But
030from what I've heard at Emily, it just FFA is the main the main FFA association is through the main department of education and um FFA is seen as an excuse through the main department of education. So I believe that all of us should have excuse for any FFA related event. >> So I think that's the the question for for you is is you know and Britney maybe you can help us out too. So you're like it's a chapter. It's not necessarily it doesn't I don't think it fall it's not one of our our our clubs that we have. It's something that potentially you >> during school time. So like they had they had Mr. or not and they were meeting during school and not um and they were practicing their short time they started in
031March and they knew they were going to state convention when they were signed up. So like there's practice for the event. So they get together and have their meetings. I don't know how many times like I like I like to meet more often than not often to prepare my chapters as best as I could. We did meetings two to three times a week. >> Yeah. Um so and this summer we met a couple times on the farm just to discuss and get our stuff and try and get all that. So I don't really know what >> if you're not in all the school stuff but he couldn't do stuff. So >> So is he volunteered and >> is he like listed on your form as like your school advisor for our chapter and so like
032listed as all people on the call and then he's an adviser and I'm an adviser. So I was going to make a suggestion, but now I'm watching you and the questions you're asking. I think so. As a board member, I'm looking to you as the superintendent to either determine now is this a school club or if you don't aren't ready to answer that, then I have another suggestion that we consider. >> Yeah, I think that's that's the question I'm trying to figure out is like >> meeting. >> So So here's what I was going to suggest because it's unclear. I recommend that they become whatever steps are necessary to become an official school sponsored club that you do that in the meantime. We don't need to approve and you can go >> is what I
033it sounds like based on the policy. >> And then another thing too is that Mr. um I had a screen with him and talked with him about FFA and once I filled out for a chapter application for the state he took that and took the information that it is and I think in like the middle school high school as a co-curricular club I think >> okay% >> I think right now you fall under the the non-school sponsored activity and then we'll work with Mr. King to see if that is actually on the school as a as an identified cocurricular. So >> and then a lot of schools already have FA established. I know that um Stanford and Bangor also do this. It's through their um technical centers. Another thing is that um FFA technical centers
034um not through like a normal school. And I hope in the future if our budget opens up more I would love to get an AC teacher position in. I know it's probably not going to happen in the next five years, but maybe eventually I feel like that would be or even like a part-time sort of thing. I just really feel that agriculture needs to be brought from schools more. Um, >> can I can you give just like a 60-second what exactly do you guys do? Do you just like score really pretty animal? Like do you teach kids how to be farmers and rate? Like what is it? >> Yeah. Um, so a lot of times we focus on leadership development. Leadership development is a huge part of FFA and preparing us to be adults who
035can talk to people and who can figure out problems in our work areas and that's another part of FFA and also making sure that agriculture has a bright future ahead of us because I was standing here we are the future of agriculture and that's in the FFA creed which is kind of like a thing in FFA but um kind of we are the future of agriculture and we need to make sure agriculture has a bright future because without agriculture, we wouldn't have this building. We wouldn't be here right now. Um just it's just kind of >> tell them about some of the CDs and LPS building. >> Um so with some of the CDs they have everything from public speaking and livestock evaluation forestry and um nursery and landscape. It's not just related to farming,
036it's related to agriculture in general. Um lots of public speaking events. Parliamentary procedure is a big one. Um I feel like that covers wherever. Yeah, that's what they want you practitioned. >> That's I'm glad I asked that because I feel like there's this overwhelming just assumption that future farmers of America, you're just teaching people how to do farming, you know? So that's incredible that it involves all >> involves a lot of stuff and and I would like to say I'm at the state convention and so they're at their own level and then they have state level organization as well. So so I sit every year on the board as a delegate. So she was able to be on nominating committee this year and as a delegate. So they go for state officers. So these kids
037they go up there and speech and like do these presentations to like all how many FFA members were there at the stage. There were over 250 FFA members advisors, right? So like they get up there and they run everything. Like they're like adults and they're kids in high school. Like it was and they give speeches like the leading president vipers and they all give their speeches and like it was so moving. Like I sat there and I'm like wow I have babies in children these days watching these kids up there because I met many children. I children and lots of them adults. So it's very refreshing to see that. Um, so and then when we go to national convention, how many kids are national convention? Over 70,000. There's a lot of huge like from all
038over the country. And when we went to state, they brought in the national secretary from Ohio. They brought in officers from Massachusetts. So, it's also a great networking thing for these kids like meeting people all over the world and like the state officers because they're on the state officer team. They just went to Washington DC and got to go meet with all the elected officials and learn about all that stuff, too. So like I didn't really know what it was. She's like I want to do it like all right now. So we did and like it has been truly eye opening and like I think lots of kids should experience it because she talks a lot. These guys can tell you they learn a few things too. So another thing is that in the next
039year or two I plan to go and be a state officer. That's what I want to do. And I was on nominated committee this year and that helped me realize how I can become a state officer. what it takes to do and be a officer and how it's more than just this special type. That's like something that I feel like big right now. But and then the national officers that was even more eye opening is seeing what these people do for a living. Most of the national officers, excuse me, most of the national officers are college students and most of the state uh state officers are high school students. Our youngest state officer was a freshman last year. So hopefully either next year. >> Yeah. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Have
040a great trip. >> I don't think we need to >> without permission. I would I would say >> informing the board of of the chapter not necessarily being a recognized activity of RSU16 yet. So, >> and if you want get your paperwork as a club, get approved through the school and then come back in October and then >> Yeah, but you have you've informed Mr. Vincent of your of your plans and your absences. So, >> and she's been very involved in >> Yeah, I haven't really talked with Mr. Anderson much as I'm going into the high school, but I already have talked with my guidance counselor, Miss Bush, about what FFA is going to look like in high school for me and also all my absences because I show livestock as well and I'm absent
041a lot. >> So, just for clarity though, when they become a a sponsored club, then they're going to require an RSU 16 employee to go on these trips. Correct. Because I would hate for them to come back and then they need a teacher and we have to tell them no because they don't have a teacher. >> Yeah. Is that how I'm understanding it? Once they're sponsored by us, they have >> Yes. Because then that's where the liability. >> So wait till November before you come talk to us. >> After the just want to say that all the way out loud. So work. >> Yeah. And then maybe in November we'll come out with you guys. >> Yeah. >> Is conducted by one or more RS26 employees. >> Okay. So yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. So
042that might be a consideration for them if they want to be a recognized corporate, >> right? Yeah. So yeah, this is a >> learning. >> Thank you guys so much. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you very much. >> Nice to meet you. >> Good luck. >> Your outfits do not look like farmers. >> It's cool though. That's a very >> The next item on the agenda. >> Bye guys. >> Night. Thank you. >> Is the recognitions. We have Braden Benton. Slashenburgger award presented by the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. He is receiving this award for his outstanding one person act on the American with Disabilities Act. Heather Mouse Muso Levit and Emma McMahon from Poland silver medal in the EMT competition in Skills USA nationals in Atlanta, Georgia in June. >> Uh Main Shrine
043Lobster Bowl Classic Nolan O'Driscoll represented us on the football field and Emma McMahon brought her energy and talent to the cheer team. Emma was honored with the spirit award recognizing the top cheerleader of the week. Peter Hawks, Poland representative, and Gavin Bonig, Mechanic Falls, representative to the school board. Congratulations. >> Welcome. >> Appreciation to Summer Learning, Food Service, Central Office, Grounds, and Maintenance, administrators, and directors and transportation staff. We don't have any agenda adjustments. Next, we move on to the consent agenda. >> Oh, yeah. I didn't see that. Yeah, we just forgot. >> Oh, okay. We do have a presentation. PRS learning through travel opportunities. >> Yes. Hi. And I will try to talk loud enough. I just got back yesterday. I'm a director at a wedding camp for like 800 high schoolers. So, naturally,
044I'm worse. Um, but hi, I'm Kristen Ross. I am an English teacher here at Regional High School. Um, first I want to thank you for last year letting over a hundred members in this community travel abroad. Um, we had a great time. Um, Mr. Canelon to show his kids to Montreal. I felt that I went everywhere in Europe. Um, and then Mr. Martin had a very successful trip in the Gloss um, at the end of June. So, I have should be in your packet. Um, these are our trips for both this school year and next school year. We try to project and have the community aware just because in order to be equitable, some trips are more than others and we want to provide enough time for everyone in the community to feel like they
045could save and contribute and go on the trips because again these are not fundraised. Um it is something that families choose these options for their students and then pay for it. The only one that is so all the ones for this year with the exception of Nino State Guatemala have been approved um just because last year um Skid Ro came and he thought that they would be going last year but the student interest that came with money and everything it was going to be better to push into this school year. So that is the only one on the first page. It's the very top one for April. Um is he has 17 students and then three shopons that he would just need approval to leave to take them this year to Guatemala. Um last August
046we already approved uh myself taking a group of kids to South Africa. Um, I believe Miss Nitto came in May and you approved her taking a route to Grand Canyon and then again last August with me representing you approved Patrick Martin taking a move to Ireland. Do I have to pause for this year for Guatemala? Okay. Um, because I would like to know approval for all. So, I'll just keep going. Um, so in 2026, um, all these would need to be approved um, for us to leave the country. Uh we have four trips on deck. Uh we have Miss Natto is again um going to take a group of kids this time going further education. Um she would like to start advertising for a trip to Puerto Rico um where kids would be doing a
047lot of culture studies um and looking through tropical rainforests and things like that. myself. Uh in April, I would like to take the group back to Europe and go explore Germany and Switzerland. Um it is split pretty evenly, four and a half days in each country. Um again, some sightseeing, some history. Um we are going to be going into a former concentration camp. Um as well as going through some of the architecture in Switzerland. Uh also during April break um would be when senior Crosby would like to take another group of students to the Nino say Guatemala um the same thing that they do this year. Um and then in August um because it was more price friendly than June uh Mr. Martin would like to lead another STEM trip to Iceland where they would
048be studying the glaciers and geysers and global warming and [Music] Yes. >> To make sure I understand, you're saying that the parents and the kids are going to be raising the majority of the money for these >> uh yes, students and or community members pay for their own part. We do not solicit fundraising or anything from the community. >> Sorry for asking. >> Oh, oh, no, no, no. the the fundraising pool is already wide enough. [Music] So we are not asking um >> I would just move that we approve the second >> that are requested to approve. [Music] >> Okay. >> All those in favor [Music] >> thank you Christian. Thank you. >> I want to go. [Music] >> All right. So, next we're moving on to the consent agenda. Uh the first thing is
049the June board meeting minutes. Okay. And then new hires. Megan Wood, grade six ESS. Abby Label, grade six PCS. Rod Bartlett, food service director. Amanda Wargo, I think, physical therapist. Chris O'Donnell, administrative assistant to the superintendent. Heidi Hilton, edtech 1 at MCS. Cara Murray, edtech 2 at PCS. Kayla Cormier, school counselor at PCS. Kelly Stevens, EdTech 1, ESS. Uh, no retirements, but there are some resignations. Alli Pratt, MCS food service staff, and Everett McN PCS food service staff. And then subcommittee minutes. There were no meetings in July, June, or July. And do we have a motion to approve? >> Move to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Question. >> Yes. Um, I don't remember seeing a physical therapist listed before as an employee. Is that person going to function as an athletic trainer? >>
050No, they're not an athletic trainer. Uh, last year we had we're unable to hire physical therapist. We had to contract out. That's why it's been probably a year since you've seen that. So, this one isn't on our our one of our employees. Any other questions? Um, all those in favor? and opposed. Sorry. And then next we are moving on to the superintendent report. All right. So uh couple of announcements here is uh um MCS has received $5,600 from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation to buy decodable readers for our early readers. Those decodable books are follow that vowel patterns, right? So it's the same like short a. so that so students have access to those books. That's a a tremendous uh uh grant that our former literacy coach, Kelly Leonte, applied for before she uh
051moved on and we were awarded that. So, Miss Caitlyn is very excited. And of course, uh opening day is August 25th right here at the PRS and we are auditorium. All of you are invited. Uh we'll be reaching out to our new board chair to see if she is available uh for uh opening remarks. If not, I'm sure she's willing to share that op option with uh any of you who would like to be able to come and and welcome back all of our employees. As for where we stand right now, our open positions is we we are looking at uh our PRHS math teacher, which uh has been open since March. So, we are looking at an alternative plan of how do we cover that inhouse with our staff that we do have. Uh
052we've had the Whittier LPN nurse uh position open for uh the summer and uh no likely candidates for that. There's a was a couple of interests but uh those did not pan out. So we are looking at long-term subbing from our subpool uh to be able to cover that position. Uh we are still looking for a speech and language but it does look like we are able to contract with um a company to be able to provide services at PCS. Uh, and then also too, I do have a uh I do have an interview with the resource teacher at MCS tomorrow. And then the follow-up piece is we did have a resignation um and uh at at PCS and being able to to hire a teacher to fill in that third grade replacement. >> That
053second or third? >> I believe he was second going to third for the next year. He was re he was moved up to third grade. >> Moved down second. moved down second rate. >> I think he was moved up from second. Yeah, because he was with Chris Gurnie and Shelley Jackson there. So, he was moved up. >> That's unfortunate. >> What was that? >> So, that's unfortunate. >> Yes. Yeah. Um uh as you know too, I sent out information about the school construction um that we applied for here in RSU6. As you know, there was 95 applicants. Uh we submitted applications for all three of our elementary schools. Uh typically the the the top seven schools are chosen. Uh mine at Consolidated School was 40th. Elm Street School was 56 and PCS was 84 on
054that list uh according to their scoring. Uh so there the top schools will will uh will uh are in Bath and RSU 33. So they will be in that cycle of new construction. And just to give you a sort of a some background to is those construction grants are usually open every seven years. So the last one was in 1718 and prior to that was 1011. So uh that is you know I think yeah it's unfortunate for us but it's also good for us to know that that's not not an option for us and that way we really look to the school revolving innovation fund with our partners with mechanical services and that becomes even more important and that way we also have clarity too. within the ops committee can really start digging in as
055to what the plan is to repair and fix because you know obviously those those buildings that are on the top of the list have challenges. I think the first two have had fires in them and like they're part of them were closed or the whole thing was closed. Um but uh you know we have some decisions to make as to how we want to repair our schools. Um because moving up on the list I don't see that happening. mine it before was 39th on the list in the last cycle. Now they're 40th. So um we we really need to have our ops committee dig into that and you as as a group too and then also to you have seen that uh uh I did some advocacy because our title two and title four were
056funds were being withheld at the federal level and we were going to be okay with with our using our title one and our title five funds. Uh however, those title two and four funds have been released. That's about $120,000. So that is looking at fully funding our title one as well as our homeless uh set aside that we have to have as well as looking at some opportunities. Uh we are, as you know, we have a new math program at our elementary. So being able to support our teachers and their professional development as well as all of the supplies needed for that. And we are looking at our literacy instruction too based upon science of reading and and gearing up with our literacy team to be able to to provide some new uh options for
057our our elementary uh in a pilot year. So that'll be able to really have a focus on the um literacy and math at the younger grades. And that's what I have for my superintendent report. Any questions? >> I have a question. Amy, are therapists that we're looking for? You said OT and speech, right? speech and language. That's what we're looking for. But we do have a contract um uh with a with a company um that um our special ed director Joe's super excited about the quality candidate that we that we have. >> Are we um are we pretty comparable like salary wise, wage wise to like the real world if they were to go to another facility to get it? >> No. That's why you would see uh because our our ours are on the
058teacher contract, right? So there's that piece of of they fall under so they you look at the teacher scale and place them accordingly and and lots of our speech therapists are getting you know $80 to $150 an hour and so that becomes a real deficit because why would you want to go on a teacher's contract when you can just do a contracted service and really you know have that that high hourly wage is that that supply and demand. >> Yeah. So yeah, we're definitely looking at how do we how do we maybe grow our own here in RSU16 and uh because you know the other thing that's on my mind too is is you've heard us talk about that it's the district's responsibilities to assume the the the FAPE the free and appropriate public education
059for three and four year olds and lots of times the services with those are speech and OT and PT. So, how do we set ourselves up for being able to service three and four year olds in either next fiscal year 27 or we have to in fiscal year 28? >> Any other questions? All right, moving on to new business financial update. >> So, Stacy is ready to provide the financial update. the uh end of year uh the audit has started and uh I will let her do all of those uh exciting pieces of of the the nitty-gritty at the finance committee. But uh just some highlights for you because I'm sure you are dying to know how we ended fiscal year 25 is our expenditure budget was $28.4 million and that was what was budgeted
060and we expended $27.3 million. So that left us a million dollars unspent in fiscal year 25. of course that is the unodudited amount right now. Um and then as you know with our that fiscal year 25 budget we did have uh 1.6 million as our carryover uh amount uh to be able to use towards that budget and we only ended up using $363,000. So, uh, we had some some strong strong financial budgeting that occurred last year of of being able to use our taxpayers money wisely and making sure that we monitored that to be able to to to have $1 million unspent. Um, so that leaves uh our fund balance in good shape and uh that leaves it at about 2.7 million at the end of year fund balance. And again, that's the unodudited figure
061and um that's uh we'll look to again we have our our amounts for fund balance for this year and then we'll be able to to have that too for fiscal year 27. But Stacy will provide that update and all of the details when on the 25th. Jess, >> how' the CIP turn out? >> Um I don't have that number right in front of me, so I know it was very close. Yeah, ops committee. Yeah, absolutely. >> With our fund balance, well, we're way over the 3% we're allowed to carry. >> Uh the state just changed their their law that we can carry 9% now. >> Nerous. Well, they understand that schools are uh that was the co amount that you were able to carry over and then schools advocated for that to be able to
062have more >> well well below that. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Other questions. >> The next item is the motion to authorize the disposal of two school buses. >> So move second. >> What does that mean? sell the old buses that >> we don't need anymore. >> All right. Because disposal sounds like you're cutting them up with a saw. They might. >> Yeah. So, so, so two of our two buses and really it comes down to one ties into our next one is approving the purchase of our of our new bus. So, with one of those, we would get a tradein value of $500 uh for that bus. and the other one John would put that out to accept bids and then uh people would make appointments to come look at the bus that was available
063and then take those bids and take the the highest bid that he has from from the community. >> $500 for a trade in on a bus. >> Yeah. That's uh that's if you look at our last like four sold buses, they range from $300 to $1,200. That's that's that's the the the growing rate for disposing of of of old buses that are no longer usable. Do >> you know what's wrong with that? Like I I I know we got to get rid of it, but like specifically like why can't we get a grand for it? You know what I mean? Like is there a transmission issue? Is the body just got shot on it? It's probably a better question for >> John. For John. >> Yeah. Um I know that part of it is that
064inspection. You can no longer get an inspection sticker on both of those. >> Probably rotten frames. >> Didn't we just buy a bus last year? >> Um, we did get a bus last year from the um we were able to uh get two buses from the bus accident. So, one from insurance was covered for one and then we also have an emergency bus replacement. Yes. I'll take this as an action item for the ops committee to just look at the buses again in the schedule because in the past we had kind of gotten off track with our bus replacement and we were dealing with breakdowns and stuff. So I believe John has us on like a three a year plan so that we get them refreshed and caught up and then we'll be able to
065maintain. Um but we'll talk about it in detail and come back to a future meeting with better information. >> Just is a portion of this bus covered by state funding or is this all up? as a sub >> on the next one, the 2026 international. Yes, we do. Uh the revenue for that is through state through state subsidy. >> All right. Vote on that. All those in favor? We have a motion to approve the purchase of a 2026 international bus that was included in moved. >> Second. >> Um, any discussion? Okay. All those in favor. And we have a motion to authorize the superintendent to hire through September 8th of 2025. >> So moved >> in a second. >> Second. All those in favor? >> Do we normally have to do this every month? >>
066Yeah, >> maybe we do. Okay. >> Well, it's just it ends it typically end like for the summer months and then September because we're still trying to hire. So, like I I have the the resource room teacher. So, if I if if it was voted down, then I would not we would not be able to hire her. So, we would not have someone in position um until after your September 8th board meeting. Okay. >> Um, we do not have any administrative team reports as of yet. Those will begin in September. >> Do we want to have a little chat chat about that? Do we have >> a team reports? approve that. >> I wonder if it can just be like an optional thing where if they have something that they feel like they want to
067share with the board or request I mean I don't know or just more limited that would be easier for them to do but that would still pass on any important information that needs to come through. I um would like to continue receiving them from all of them on a regular basis. I'm flexible on the format and exactly like the metrics and the contents, but I only have one kid at one school. So, I really appreciate the updates from the other buildings on what's going on because I'm not able to attend as many events as I'd like to. >> J. >> Yeah, I I'm curious how many people actually read those and it seems like it's a lot of work for them to prepare them. So, I want and I appreciate what you said, Jess, because
068I'm in the same boat. I have no kids in the schools. Um, but I wonder if there's something that we could agree upon that we'd like to see this these bits of data points and maybe it's a paragraph from each. So, it's like a five minute thing for us to get that information. >> I definitely look at them. Um, I might not just because I'm not bringing up in the meeting. So, I you know, these people that are preparing that understand that at least, you know, a portion of these people are >> looking at it and digesting it. Um I mean three the the ones for the elementary schools. Aren't those basically just newsletters that are kind of forwarded along to us? Like they're not prepping those specifically for the board. Correct. >> Well, I
069always look at like the office discipline referrals on those and then also attendance because I feel like those are metrics that are important for us to know just they kind of drive policy, you know. >> Yeah. I I mean I'm kind of with Joe. like maybe they're putting too much of maybe they're think overthinking what are you know couple of bullet points real quick that we can kind of look at and and then you know maybe if necessary we can use that to spur you know spur a conversation if like I want more information about this two lines um >> I was wondering because I think you brought up an interesting point of having you know one child and one school or no children it's like do do you one of my suggestions was like
070do they share the last family newsletter they sent out so then that way you get do get all of the good things because I think you are right, Randy. There is parts where they are pulling from previous newsletters that they've sent out to their families that you are seeing information again, but then there are those little bullet points of ODRs and and uh attendance um that are important pieces of information >> and like when they that we could really use, you know, almost always substitute teachers, but like maybe there would be something else there at some point >> because it was the generator right at a school forever. It was always listed and now we have one. We saw it, we worked on it, it's funded, and it's installed. >> So, what we could do
071is just have those ODRs, attendance, we could really use and then my like the last family newsletter sent home >> in there. >> Upcoming dates. >> Yeah. Yeah, those typically have the the upcoming dates. But yeah, that is a good point because some of you do visit schools like, "Oh, I want to go see the career day or something like that." >> Yeah, we want to stay informed, but certainly not burden them with everything. Yeah, >> I think that's a good happy spot to be able to meet in in there of highlighting the positive pieces so you understand those that those components that are happening because it is a strong connection because it is nice what you said before of like they stand here and they talk with passion and and that way you've got
072that background knowledge too when they're when they're here of why they're doing what they're doing. >> But not just positive. We do need the negative as well. And if there's things that they need support from us on, we do want to hear it and we don't need to wait until their oneyear presentation, they could communicate that sooner. >> Yeah. >> I I know that might be counterintuitive for someone, but it would, you know, would almost be really helpful to throw in what is it the throw in the thorn or whatever. You know what I mean? I don't know what the saying is. >> What's the struggle, >> right? Yeah. You know, we might not be able to do anything about it, but at least we're aware. You know what I mean? What's the struggle? Yeah.
073Exactly. What's what's been struggling you this month? >> That is good feedback. I can pass that along to our ad administrative reports and I know that will be helpful and a relief for them to be able to peel that back and and I think that could be part of one of your goals too is is that do you divide up? Do you share? like how do you get into each one of those reports to be able to to pull things out or to just make sure that you're you're you're reading those. Uh next we have enrollment status was included in the packet. Um student representative we have Max Benton and I do not know anyone else. Not yet. I I >> he told us the name of the junior that was taken over on our
074last meeting, but I don't recall. >> Usually I'm okay. And then I'm forgetting the name because >> usually it's election day. So they'll they'll elect one by the October meeting. >> Yeah. >> But I do would just want to back up to the enrollment stats. Uh I you know it it's a it's a great chart but one thing that I'm looking at is the comparison between now and where we were a year ago because again uh I've started FY27 budgeting in my mind and looking at all of those variables and one of those as you know is our student count. And so if you do look at our student count right now it's uh 15 1,596 and in August of last year was 1661. So, I'm a little concerned because we're, you know, n 7090
075students down and I I know typically we say that things that things sort of even out, but to be down that many students at this time is a red flag for me. So, uh you know, looking at one of the key areas is our prek numbers are are are diminished and and it's it's how do we how do we f are the kids not coming to prek because they're half day? like what is what is the the the the the piece there? So, and then also too like we just you know talking with Jess Madson today about this like it's like kids people are families are moving out of state like they're moving like cross country and and it's not just like they're moving you know to the next town. So there does seem to
076be some some movement going on and and families not coming into our district. So, that is something that is on my mind and I just wanted to make you aware because our our subsidy is tied to our enrollment which does take a three-year average of that. So, um uh we could be feeling that pain with our 279s for years to come. >> Patrick, >> uh it looks like the enrollment did just get updated today. >> Oh, did it? >> Um so we're actually at 1619. So we're I'm about 40 >> Okay. >> students less. >> Okay. That makes me feel better. >> A little better. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Read those. Back it down. Back it down. Okay. Next, we have a motion to approve the board and subcommittee meeting dates. That was in your
077kit. So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Right. All those in favor formation of teacher negotiations budget committee public relations committeeformational at the June 11th board meeting it was approved to extend the PR committee for one more year public relations. >> Yeah. Yeah. [Music] So you we may want to have discussion about who wants to be on those because ultimately you do get to assign. So getting some feedback as to who wants to be on each committee. [Music] Um anyone interested in doing the teacher negotiation committee? [Music] Anyone [Music] from that raise their hand for that? >> We have Joe, Andrea, Pete, and Patrick. >> I'll do it. [Music] >> And then budget committee. That's four from Mechanic Falls. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> Yes. >> Is there any Should we wait until after this?
078But >> are we going to discuss whether the subcommittees are going to take on the other committees? >> Yeah. >> You know, like some consolidation as we kind of talked about before. Um I I think that would help with like making sure that there was somebody from each town >> and then maybe opening it up to people outside of that sub to join if they want to. That would just be my suggestion. [Music] So is no one no one from polls throw my name up. All right, put my name on there. >> What about your committee? >> Yeah, sure. >> Thanks, Randy. [Music] >> The public relations committee. >> Yes, >> you say that again. I'm having a hard time hearing >> public relations committee. Uh, yeah. I might change my mind, but yeah. [Music]
079So what you can do is you can share. So community right [Music] negotiations budget to kind of finance it. combination. [Music] >> I'm sorry guys. >> So many questions. >> Yeah. >> So I think your PR committee is pretty good. Okay. Do those sound like So then what other kinds [Music] um what would be the goal and outcome? um for public relations negotiations and budget committee. Is there any way to adopt them into the subcommittees I guess would be the question? >> Oh, are you asking me >> the whole board? >> Yeah. >> I mean the budget committee I think that goes without definition. You know, I I think we've had a lot of discussion that it would be really nice to have a prominent presentation from our finance subcommittees because that's what they do.
080As Patrick said earlier, that's their mojo. So, I think as far as that goes, having strong representation from them would be nice. PR committee, I mean, that could be I guess a little bit of everybody, you know, because that's not necessarily under one person's wheelhouse. >> Isn't that the goal? Well, ed policy took over the superintendent evaluation committee. So yeah, >> I think we were just kind of looking like when we were discussing that last year, it there there's a lot of that, you know, the same people are doing these smaller committees and so it would be I think wonderful to sort of spread that out and all equally share that responsibility and kind of the most logical way to do that would be to separate it amongst the subcommittees with what makes most sense
081and like she said it makes a lot of sense for personnel finance to have a strong presence on the budget committee and I think what we're trying what we would like to do is speaking of culture right old board culture is like it's good to have those many hands on deck you know because the same people are volunteering for all of these committees and there's burnout you know and we have a new chair now and a newish vice chair and I think it would be good for all of us to show support if every board member joined at least one other committee besides the committee the subcommittee other it would be great if that's an option for people. >> My vision for the PR committee was that we would work ourselves out of a job
082that we just because it was a brand new idea last year. We had a lot of fun with it. It went fairly well that if we had one more year of like a separate group of people kind of planning the public events then they become part of what we just do and then going forward you know the subcommittees because we got two of three last year um accomplished. So, if this year we could hit all three, then then I'd be fine with that committee just going away. And then on each subcommittee, they just know that they're going to have to have a forum and it'll just be part of their regular agenda. [Music] assignments to the September. All right. Uh the assignments will be brought to the September meeting and the next thing is the
083MSMA annual fall conference. Andrea, >> uh the MSMA fall conference is usually a two-day conference. There was the announcement in your um your packet there. It's uh uh what is it? October 23rd and 24th. It's at the Augusta Civic Center and there's uh lots of different sessions uh from uh I I Angela I remember when you went you got to go on the electric bus had a good time with that to get getting lots of swag last year to be able to bring back to teachers and for principles to be able to put in. There's lots of vendors there. Uh, and then there's always a a lead speaker that um is an educational expert and and sometimes not and just really being talking about how you're there for your staff. So that's just a notification
084to save the date. If you are interested in attending that then you'll need to let me know. So then that way I can do the group registration for RSU 16. So I will send you a reminder that I will be looking if you are going for one day or two days um to please let me know. Um, we would need a motion to nominate a representative for the MSBA annual delegate assembly. So, Andrea, you've represented us for the last two years as the delegate. Do you want to just talk us through briefly what what that all entails because you've got some pre-work, some Zooms, and then >> Yes. Um, it's a a Zoom meeting once a month with the other delegates. Um see we we are like the western conference so we don't do the
085whole state but there's like 20 people there um we discuss policy that's coming up because MSBA that's their uh their thing is doing the policy uh in the legislature and stuff like that. So, we go over uh what the policies are going to be for coming up and then there's a big convention where we all vote on what the MSBA is going to do for the year and that's the part I need your help on if if you volunteer me again. Um the email that Amy sent out from them if everybody can go over that. Um, so at the September meeting, we can decide how we want to vote and stuff like that so that the representative knows when we go to October that what the board thinks and because that that was very helpful
086because that that meant that I wasn't standing making decision for all 15 of you, >> you know, I I really appreciated that input last year, but if nobody volunteers I will volunteer again because >> that's my jam. >> Make a motion to approve Andrea. >> Second. >> Third. >> Any questions? All those in favor? >> Thank you, Andrea. >> I have a question for Andrea, actually. Are are non voting people allowed to observe these meetings? >> Yeah. You sure? Y >> I get a new one every everybody can. >> You just can't vote, right? >> Yeah, cuz Mary always can, but she didn't vote. >> Yeah. [Music] >> Yeah. I just want to make sure everyone's okay with the the subcommittees that they're on. The personel and finance. No one has an inkling to move
087subcommittees. >> No, I'm good. >> Okay. All right. So, there is an opening. >> Only thing I wish I switched on that night, not last one. >> So, there is an opening on Ed policy. So, the replacement for Mike Downing will be placed on Ed policy. >> What time is that meeting? >> That meeting is 5:30. >> Yeah, we get the middle one. >> You just can't. >> So, if you want to move, there is an open. I I will discuss that with babysitting. >> Okay. >> Purpose of the delegate assembly is in your packet. >> I did that one with the Okay. >> Yep. And then the proposed resolutions are there. She was nominated. So now we're on to >> All right. Steve Steve. >> Second. >> A second. >> All those in favor.
088>> All right. So, >> good job, Sarah. >> Oh, boy. Had to go from sitting over there to over here. You were like