RSU #20 April 14th, 2026 Regular School Board Meeting

001Heat. Heat. See how much Marcus has just come out of his show. >> That is right. He realizes how bad things are >> and now he's like, >> "Any adjustments to the agenda?" >> Yes. to add to new business. Uh 12.7 we need to sign warrants >> for the budget. Kind of silly on >> 12 not yet 12.7 signs >> right there. It's already on the sheet. >> Is that it? >> Also um report from administration student representative. >> Thank you. So that'll be 9 >> 9E or Yeah. 9E. Okay. >> Thank you. New student representation. >> Just student. >> Okay. Motion to accept the board meeting agenda. >> So, >> all in favor >> presentations? >> No. Why isn't it? >> Oh, yes. Sorry. You >> want me buzz you now, Ruth? I'll buzz

002you now. Presentations >> from the Waldo County Tech Center. >> Okay. My name is Jess Woods and I'm the chair of the Len County Technical Center board. Do you think if I stand Is this for the audience that is virtual? >> Yes. >> Okay. Do you think if I stand next to it, they can hear me? >> Yes. Okay, perfect. Um, and Travis Wood is also here, who is our W County Tech Center director. Welcome to come up and interject at any point. Um, I'll do my best to keep this brief, but I thought it was um important to make sure all of the boards had the same information regarding sort of a status update of where we are, where we are with Waldo County Technical Center. Um, so I'll start with a little bit

003of just an overview and then history. But some questions that I'm hoping that we can ask ourselves tonight or be thinking about tonight as I go through this short presentation. Um, really is about what is the best path forward for the education of students and citizens of Waldo County? Uh, is the way that we are currently approaching education in Waldo County the best way forward for the next generations? And is there a different path forward that should be considered? And I don't have any answers to any of these questions. It's not up to me to answer these questions, but at the end of this, we'll talk about um some upcoming opportunities for community visioning processes. And so those are the sort of guiding questions, I guess, guiding principles of our conversation. Um so we may

004I don't want to assume that anybody knows what CTE is. CTE stands for career and technical education. It prepares students for, as the tech center motto is, college, career, and community. Um, CTE has been through many iterations, but you may remember it being called Vogue or Tech back in the day. Um, has a very deep and rich history in Waldo County and in Maine and in the United States. Um, there's a lot a lot of information out there right now about CT education nationally. Um but the good news basically to to make a lot of um data very brief, CTE is hot right now. So students are accessing CTE in a way that they have not before and we're seeing enrollment nationally um in career and technical education facilities um increase even when enrollment is

005decreasing. Um, so that's just I have all of this information is available on the tech center website including all of the articles that are referenced in this presentation. Um, but just for the sake of time I'm not going to read all of them. Um, so tonight I just want to talk to you about the technical center but before I go too far forward I think it's important to go back and look at the history of the tech center. So has anybody been there? Okay, great. Okay, so some people have been there. Thank you for visiting. Um, it was built in 1975, which believe it or not, I was like, that's not that old. I was born in 1979, so 50 years. We just had the 50th uh anniversary of our technical center. Uh, there have

006been a couple of additions, one in the '9s. Um, and then the 55,000 ft² building um had a new 38,000 ft addition. No, the original was 38,000. And then in in 2005, we had the new addition put on, which some people will remember. We still call it the new edition um even though it's now 20 years old. And when you walk in, that has culinary, graphic design, and the CNA area, as well as the student center, which is a super important part of um our ability to have student meetings and such there. Oh, I was thinking those students might need to come in, but they might. Maybe they can go around. Um >> they may just be walking. >> Okay, they might just be walking. I don't know. >> Okay, they somebody walked by. That's

007all. >> I'm an investigator. Okay, there we go. There's a there's an administrator for you. There's an administrator in the room. Yeah. Um, so good news is about 25% of the enrollment at each high school in Belfast is attending Waldo County Technical Center. Um, and this I just pulled this enrollment data. Um, it is from the 2324 uh enrollment numbers, but it was for the 2526 academic year. So we had 67 students from Mount View, 108 students from Belfast, 39 from Searsport, and then another 19. So our total enrollment at the tech center was 233 out of a total enrollment of 858 students. Oh, perfect. Thanks. Um, so we have seen this trend continue and I know there have been lots of conversations um, both locally, you know, within Waldo County, statewide and nationally about

008in general population decline and enrollment decline in our public schools. So the good news is that the tech center enrollment continues to go up. >> Um, as I said, so CTE is hot right now and part of it um, how old are you? >> 16. Okay. So, you probably don't remember the show Dirty Jobs. I think you're too young. But the which is shocking to me, but Mike Row made uh CTE sort of a national um spotlight, you know, back my son is 21. He grew up watching it a little bit. That was like his first sort of reality TV show. But it was all about, you know, how do you make money in the trades? He has Mike Row has a bluecollar scholarship now. Has gotten a lot of popularity. So that's the 22,

00923, 24 year old crowd. Grew up watching Dirty Jobs with Mike Row. Um, I have been a school counselor for 20 years, an assistant principal. I've now gone back to higher education, but I will always consider myself a public educator and I went to Belfast Area High School, worked at Belfast Area High School for 20 years on and off and was on the on the school board. Um, so I remember in the 2000s when we had the late the late 2000s, we had a push, it felt like statewide, it might have been national, that all students needed to go to college. It was very much like everybody needs to go to college. This is super important and and we sent them. And for some students, you know what, it was a great it did leverage

010opportunity, but for some students, it wasn't what they wanted to do. And so what we have what we created is a situation in Maldo County where we have students who went to college for a year or two but never graduated but they did acrewue student loan debt. Um and so you know I think that had that really made people stop and pause like why are how and why are we advising students on what they should do after high school? Um, and I certainly am a big believer, obviously I work at a four-year college, but um, you know, I really believe in the student being in the center of the educational voice and choice. And so, um, you know, we have seen the last decade it's sort of swinging back the other way where students very

011much are savvier. Free community college um, did a lot for that. I think just the advertising alone, even though tuition at the community college is not that expensive, the um mass advertising that they did around that program in the state of Maine was huge. And so we've seen enrollment at uh two-year colleges, which have many many trades uh programs increase significantly. Uh as well as, you know, students going straight into the workforce doing apprenticeships um and things like that. So all of that to again say that um there has been the DOE has published lots of articles US Department of Education around um CTE enrollment and where students are going and how students are shopping for their education in a way that they never did before. Um so at the tech center we have um

012we have been growing our programs. We added an explore CTE program in 2022. Originally that was um really sort of a strategy for dropout prevention with nth grade students. It has taken off spectacularly and I and I believe we had two gold medal >> who won what program >> we had >> won skills. >> We had one young lady from explore CT won a gold. She's going to the national, >> right? >> And then we had three others that scored bronze and are not going. >> Okay. But from CT from that explore. Yeah. So, you know, that is a program that's only been around for four years, and we just had three uh meddlers at Skills USA, which is our like um our big end of the the year competition. Um we also have aquaculture,

013which we piloted last year as a half-day program that is going to be a full day program in the school year. And we've brought back um our early childhood education uh with great fanfare. Students are very, very happy. We are submitting applications to the department of ed to add a CDL program. I don't know if anybody knows anybody who owns a any sort of business that needs CDL drivers or not, but um we really desperately are in need of CDL drivers and students very much want it. And in order to go to the lineman program at Kbec Valley Community College, you have to have your CDL already, which is a it's about a $5,000 course. So, it's a barrier that we have seen for years preventing students from going to the lineman program. So, this

014would be a great way to sort of level the playing field and allow all students who are interested be able to access a CDL course. Um, uh, what else do we put in for cosmetology? Y >> and so, you know, this is a real need in our community. If you look around um in our in our salons, they are, you know, Waldo County people that have graduated that are working and also would like to retire at some point, but there's no way to take over. So, we're going to try to fill that gap. Um so, that's really good news. Um okay. So, now there's some concerning news and I am going to try to speed up a little bit because I know you have a full budget um tonight. So in 2024 I became the

015chair of the board in August. Prior to that the board engaged with um Lavali Bruninger which is a I cannot say the name of that company um which they are a um architectural firm and they did an existing fin facilities analysis and that was very important for us to receive. But what I say to Travis is once you know, you can't unknow. And we have students in this building every single day. And so this is so we got that report back from them last February. Uh and this is we've been working on getting to this point since then. So um the news is is about what you would expect from a 50-year-old building in Maine. Here are the biggest concerns. We don't have a sprinkler system. Um the we have a fire alarm panel. It's

016been maintained and none of this is because of deferred maintenance. We've been maintaining things, but we don't have a sprinkler system. Um the fire alarm panel was installed in 2004, which so my son was born. He's 21 years old. Um the Tectum roof deck has experienced water damage and we're we are crossing our fingers that we're done with snow for this year. We made it through another year, but we I don't know that we will make it through another year. And depending on the type of snow that we get, we're running stress tests on our roof monthly by month, >> whenever there's weight on the roof. Um, and we're not ADA compliant, right? So, if we if we need to do any renovation to our building at all, moving any singular thing, a wall, uh,

017anything, we have to come up to be compliant. And also that includes all of these things. So, it's important that you're sending students to to the tech center every single day. And I'm certainly not saying like Chicken Little, the sky is falling. I'm not saying it's not safe. We would not have a certificate of occupancy if that was the case. But it is important that we all understand that this is not sustainable. Um, so green is good. So, this is a little chart. This is from the um facilities existing facilities report which is also available on our website. is 250 pages, which is why I did not print it out. Um, green is good, red is bad. These are our these are our how we ranked. There's no green. There's no there's no failed. We

018didn't fail anything, but we had our ADA life and safety is is 20 like at the 20s. Um, so I just leave that there for a visual so that you can see. Um, obviously we are very closely monitoring anything that's in red. Um, because it is so fire protection is red. If we have a fire at the tech center, we will not be able to go back to school there. Any kind of fire. We have welders. I mean, it's it's this is so so um this is why I'm hoping to have some community conversations. So, our architects have been working. They did some of their own visioning. They have come up with their they've met with our our staff. they have um talked with community members. They have done a great job on the architectural

019side of things. If they have presented us with three choices, updating our existing building by replacing our fire system and making the building ADA compliant and replacing the roof. My first presentation at Mount View was about 6 weeks ago and we've met with architects since then and I had to add an additional $10 million onto that quote. So, originally we're thinking it would be about a $12 million renovation. Now it's looking more like 22. Uh they have presented the option of a hybrid renovation/new build on our current site. So, uh, basically build a new addition, swap everybody over, renovate the current structure, swap everybody back, uh, and then you have two, and that is about a $40 million um extravaganza. And then we could build a new building on our current exist existing site uh,

020or another site, which would be about $90 million. Those are gigantic numbers. I can't even begin to imagine, but that is what the cost of building or renovating in 2026 is. And we're actually projecting this out for 2029. So, these are these are numbers that do have some inflation already in them. Every day, they just become more. Um, at the same time, the Department of Education released a project proposal called a 9-16 uh application. And so it's it's a called the 9 through16 CTE model. Um and as a B previous board member of you know an RC71 when looking at building renovations the first question we're often asked is did you get on the list right there used to be like a magical unicorn list of revolving renovation funds from the DOE that you could

021like get on and maybe someday you would get some funding. So, it just so happens that the 9 through16 project um came out in the middle of last year and so Travis and I, we talked to the board, our tech center board, got together and decided to submit an application to the DOE for a 9-16 project. We're not supposed to call it a grant because it is not a grant. It is a project. They're funding a project if you get approved. And basically what a 9-16 model is is it is a CTE center at least two high schools in your catchment area. So whatever your CTE area is. So for us it's Waldo County excluding Islesboro and a community college partner and a University of Maine system partner. Right? So, it's five distinct partners that

022come together to form a a regional technical high school. And I'm putting it in like very um you know, I'm trying to just be succinct about it, but basically the the if the if you're able to get two high schools and your CTE and the partners from the higher education institutions and come up with a governance structure, then you can you can go into phase two of the application. And so what we found out is that everybody who put in for phase one was automatically moved to phase two. So we went to phase two of the application which means that now we have to decide as a community is this something that we can entertain and want to entertain. And are there two high schools within our catchment area or two districts who are willing

023to have the conversation or want to have the conversation about joining together with the tech center to create a 9-6 CTE regional whatever you want to regional technical CTE center. Um what this would mean is that students from whatever high schools decided to join and the other other like towns within Waldo County would go to one regional technical high school. Um and that they would receive access to community college, access to University of Main System, access to a high school diploma and access to their regional technical high school. Um it would be so so the conversations um that we're having in April and May are around the questions that I started with. Is this something that Waldo County as a community has an appetite for? You know, is there interest among board members, students, taxpayers

024to have a conversation about what how we could best serve Waldo County. like not thinking about Belfast, not thinking about Mount View, not thinking about Searsport, but what is the best path forward for Waldo County for the next 50 years because this type of grant and I'm not supposed to call it a grant. This type of project proposal is really a once in a generation um and could potentially provide uh an opportunity for students to have access to uh right now Waldo County is a higher ed desert. There is no point of access in Waldo County for community college or university system because the Hutchinson Center closed and that was our that was our access point. We have U Rock in Augusta, KVCC and Waterville. Those are not in Waldo County. So, um basically this

025is not a decision for me to make. It's not a decision for the tech center board to make. We um we have about 6 weeks to have these community conversations and then school boards and and administrators and whoever we think is the appropriate people to have whatever sort of governance committee we want to put together to have these sort of in-depth conversations. Um need to decide is this something that we would like to entertain. Just because we submit to phase 2 does not mean we'd be approved. And so that's the other the other piece, you know, if all of a sudden everybody was like, "This is a this is a you know, magical wonderful idea. We should put this this proposal forward to the DOE." There are eight other applicants. So we're competing against um

026all of the Portland public schools, Ellsworth, and that region is put in a proposal. Uh there's two from Northern Maine, there's Tri County. Um there's a lot of interest because of the factors that I've already talked about today. declining enrollment, increasing taxes, CTE being hot. We are the only applicants who are who the CTE initiated the application. All of the other applicants are from high schools or districts that are pulling in a CTE center. So that makes us just a little bit different. Um so to be clear, this is not about um this is not about me making a decision or the tech center board. This is about an opportunity that I think is worthy of some real deep community conversation. We have partnered with rural aspirations. They are a nonprofit organization that's from Waldo

027County. Kora Soul who is the director started teaching in um alternative ed and RSU3 about 30 years ago has maintained you know lots of strong ties with all the districts in Waldo County. So she will be leading our community conversations that we'll be having. Um, and there's three of them. Mount View, the Wednesday, they're all Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30. Mount View is first, uh, April 29th, and then Captain Albert Stevens School in Belfast May 6th, and then Searsport District High School Library on the 13th. And my hope, I've given everybody posters. My hope is that um, you will invite people, you will attend, you will come, you'll ask really, really hard but important questions and that we'll be able to do some data gathering and then come back together. um you know and do

028some do some work this summer and find out if there is if there is appetite for this in Waldo County. Sorry, I tried to get through as fast as I could. I know it's probably not time for questions, but I'm you know, all of our stuff is available online. All of this is available online. Um, and I just really I really am hopeful that we will have good attendance at these community visioning sessions so that we can get some real data about what everybody would like to see for Waldo County. >> Question. >> I do have a question. Sure. Um, can you go back just a couple slides? >> Um, maybe go forward one more. One more. >> No, backward concerning news. It was just a couple of slides before you ended. >> Okay. >>

029There was a section on the partnership >> right here. >> Partnership and governance. Yep. >> Yes. Thank you. >> What is your vision for the partnership with the school two school districts? I would like to know what that looks like in your mind. So, in order for us to be able to submit a phase 2 application, which is due October 30th, but the hope is that we will spend the summer doing this if there's appetite for it. And because the school year is just it's just wild. Um, so again, this isn't like me, you know, I'm just the chair of the board, so this is what I'm feeling compelled to start the conversation. But what needs to happen is that we would need if we're going to actually be able to go forward with this

030at least through, you know, to the next application phase, we would need two districts to agree that they would like to enter into an agreement to form a governance structure that would be able to sustain the application. So this has been this project these projects have actually been approved before but they've never been built because the project has always fallen apart after they've been awarded on governance structure right so it's it's just that is that is the meat of it that is the work you know the nitty-gritty um and so what we were told by Scott Brown we met with Travis and I met with Scott Brown at the DOE and the people who actually reviewed our grant application um there's nothing binding, right? So I if if two district two high schools or see

031the high school itself can't like sign on to it has to be the board, right? I mean so if two districts decided yes, we want we believe this is potentially the best choice for the future. We would like to sign on and start to form a governance committee and see what we can do, right? And see how far we can get. We would have to I mean we'd have to have legal counsel and all of that, but we would come up with a governance structure. So would say, okay, if if Searsport High School in Belfast High School and Waldo County Technical Center are going to come together and form a new Waldo County Regional Technical High School, this is what the school board would look like. This is what the diploma would look like. This

032is what the curriculum would look like. This is what the bell schedule would look like. This is what the So all of those pieces would then have to be really really figured out. I mean, you're in order for your grant application to be considered, it really needs to be, from what I understand, very thorough. It can't just be like on a whim, like we think we'd like to, you know, um we don't have a location for this, you know, regional technical high school at this point. Um, I think because Waldo County Technical Center will still serve all of the students in Waldo County regardless of who decides to enter into this or not. If we were to go forward with it, it has to still be in a central location. It can't you can't be

033so far away from one of our sending towns. So, I don't know if I answered your question, but that's I mean that's what has to happen next is basically, you know, if if there's no appetite, then we can't go ahead on it on our own. So, then we're going to come to you and say, we need $44 million for we're going to try to get a bond passed for renovation because we have we have to do something. Originally, I was like, well, option four is like do nothing, but we literally can't. We're obligated to have a technical center. We we believe I think that it's the best choice for students to have a technical center and access to technical education career and technical education is very important. So if we choose to do nothing which

034I fully understand the tax burden so you know um we won't have we won't have a tech center and that's really not something that I would be okay with as the chair of the board. I um agree wholeheartedly that we need career and technical education. My question really is more about what it looks like because you've used the word participate there and I I really want to know what participation looks like. >> Are we give up our high school? >> There's no high school. I mean, I guess I guess my thing is in transparency for people that are listening like >> it would mean if if hypothetically our district signed on, we would no longer have a high school. >> Correct. You would I mean I don't I mean you >> but that doesn't make

035the tax burden go away. It just gets shifted to a different location. Theoretically, it will cost you less to have. It would cost if we were to look at as Waldo County, like if you count up how many students we have in our sending high schools and the number of administrators and the number of teachers and the facilities and the number of um athletic directors and I mean and and right like so if you went to one high school as a county, you would theoretically pay less for that especially over overtime >> and lose teachers positions people would go. >> Well, you wouldn't need as many teachers. Yes. Yeah. Absolutely. >> So, that's where the cost savings comes. >> Out of that $90 million, how much would how much is this grant >> telling that

036they would give us if we were approved out of that 90 million? >> Right. So, actually the 90 million that that was on this slide just so for just so >> if you want a brand new school, >> that's just for the current enrollment at our current CC. Correct. Right. So, a new a a new regional technical CTE center >> blow that out of the water >> would be around $200 million. >> That's what I thought. >> Yeah. >> But weren't you asking Denise what the what the project would provide? Would it provide that whole 200 million? >> That is that is a very good question and that is what they are saying. So, the bond is owned by the taxpayers but paid by the DOE. That is a very much illegal because we own

037the we would own the building. >> So, are they going to pay like they pay now with the 55% that they're supposed to pay to the school? >> That is not right. No, that's a good question. Yeah, that's not what Scott said. >> So, if they >> But we would want that in writing. >> Well, we have it in writing that they're going to pay 55%, but we as districts don't get that now. So, how much of that 200 million would they actually pay? >> That is that is a really good question. >> Yep. But according to Scott, they are aware of this is what the this is why they're doing this because they have the funding to provide a fully funded project for a 9-16 CTE program. >> Just one. >> That's what I

038that's not said that if if like it's all available. They have not said how many they will fund. I'm assuming it's just going to be one. I mean, I don't think we have $400 million in the state budget. just >> just has there been any type of analysis as to what the assessment would be >> and what the cost would be for running >> right. No, those are those are all questions. Yep. Because and so you know it was it's different for certain districts depending on what your current facilities look like. Mount View has a relatively new school and their high school is within their school. Searsport is the same. This school was renovated. I mean, again, I'm in dating myself, but I remember when it was renovated. So, how old is the new is

039the new Sears Sport? 30 20 >> 2022 2002, sorry. >> Okay. Right. So, 202 years old, >> right? So, so Belfast has its own high school. So, they would either have to repurpose that school or or vote to close it, right? because that's so but RSU 20 and three because you have other students within your school wouldn't necessarily need to close anything, >> right? So we still need to maintain the same expenses. >> You would still have to maintain your current school. >> Yep. >> These are all great questions. >> Slightly different direction, but uh the community college and university partner, you said those have already been identified. Yeah. So, we have signed agreements from Eastern Main Community College and the University of Maine. We're starting work with Uain Augusta uh at Rockland um because

040we want to start we already have dual enrollment. So, students who were enrolled in I'm going to start to try to rattle it off but autoc collision culinary auto tech uh those are dual enrollment certified courses. So, students actually get college credit when they leave. they have to get their transcript which is always the the trick of the things but they get leave the tech center with college credit. So, we already have some agreements, but we really wanted more formal agreements uh because part of this would be robust adult education so that you can retrain your workforce in a meaningful way. And RSU3, some some districts have like very robust um adult ed programs and some don't. And so, this would just provide an opportunity for a higher ed access point for adult ed. And

041what role does the community college and higher ed partner play in that in what Chris was asking about the kind of partnership structure or organization >> governance? Yes. >> Yeah. Um from what I have seen in the application they just need to agree that they are that they are working with us. I mean I think we would want to be very clear about what they are going to offer and how who's going to pay for that and how are people going to access it. Um, but they don't have to, there's no financial obligation for them that they have to like pay anything to us. Although there's obviously going to be expense to somebody at some point to have a humane, you know, system branch. >> Uh, I mean, I wish we would get like a

042Waldo County Community College. Wouldn't that be like branch? Wouldn't that be wonderful? And then the community college system would run it. This is a this um model of the 9 through16 is very popular in other states. lots and lots of other states, Texas, uh, North Carolina, they're building a brand new, uh, building like this in Plymouth, Massachusetts that I just drove by recently. So, the 9 through 16 piece is trendy, but it's it's allowing for students to leave high school with associates degrees. And so, for some students, that's a game changer. Certain institutions of higher ed don't accept college credit from students in high school. Um, however, that's just a small percentage. Many, many, many four-year colleges will accept community college credit or or credit that students have earned in high school, college credit that

043students have earned in high school. Um, and so it it could really be a gamecher for students. So another question I have Jess is in regard to the flexibility of this project. It sounds like the project is already established to create one central hub or a school and you're asking districts to participate essentially sending students to that school instead of going to their own high school. Is there any flexibility in having the CTE within the schools that are participating? >> So satellite programs only you mean? >> Or some kind of hybrid? >> Yep. >> You know hub and satellite or >> that is a good question. From what I understand the model that they are looking for I mean yeah yes you can do that. It would not be funded through this application. I do

044not believe they are looking for building a c a regional technical high school. Um we are exploring the um satellite model absolutely because we're looking to bring in we're we have no more room that you know it's full. So um CDL will need to be a satellite program. Um Searsport and I think we've already in conversations with hosting uh cosmetology. We've been sharing uh aquaculture with Belfast this year. They've been hosting. So yes, that is a model and I've asked the superintendent to start and Travis to have conversations about a backup plan for when we're not able to be at the tech center anymore. If if we were to do this, this would be for the current second grade class. >> Like this is this is not even any this is far far away. the

045chances of our of our high technical center being able to house students in the next eight years I don't think is very good. So, um, you know, I happened to be at Crosby Middle School in Belfast when it closed. >> Junior High, right? Crosby Junior High. I went there for, you know, 2 months and then we went to churches and modulars for the next 2 years. And, you know, I was fine, but there was a lot of kids that lost a lot of education in those few years. And I don't want to see that for our students. So, we're having the conversations now about, okay, where's auto tech going to go? Where's welding going to go? Where are these programs going to go? when we lose our tech center. >> So, will any of these

046visioning sessions involve alternatives to this project? >> We're not presenting any of this at the session because yeah, the reason that I'm presenting this to you is because they're is because of this >> because you are sending students to Waldo County Technical Center. So, these it's interesting because these two things they're parallel but they're also not related that you know the the issue with the tech center just happened to come up. we happened to start get that existing facilities analysis at the same time that the DOE um presented this and so I'm not I'm not saying that that the CTE is the right way to go educationally as an educator I think it's a great idea. I think taxes in Belfast I get it. I'm concerned I'm concerned about if my children decide to stay

047in Waldo County where will their children go to school? What will the what will the enrollment be at our schools in 25 years? I don't know. But I do think it's worth having the conversation. So we're not doing any sort of presentation at these community visioning sessions. We are really talking about like there are some opportunities. What what do we think is the best, you know, is the best plan going forward for Waldo County. I'm not doing any of this presenting stuff. >> Good to know. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So maybe you were going to get to this. I don't know. But um when is there going to be a request or requirement whatever of the different boards to say I mean I know we've already had one decision on this but um presumably

048you're coming back to try to ask again would we be willing to participate um so I'd like to know timeline and I'd like to better understand given what you just said how is whatever happens here supposed to inform any decision that we might make as a board or should we be having our own conversations completely separate from this to decide what we want to do. >> Yeah, I mean I think these conversations Kora is going to I'm sure ask some prompting questions about like what is the future of CTE in Waldo County and you know what are we are we concerned about enrollment overall? I mean that's been very much you know a buzz just about with education. Um, so we're going to provide the feedback from the visioning sessions to the boards. We can

049I'm sure Kora can aggregate it and disagregate it. So you can see like what happened from the Searsport community visioning session and then like what overall certainly people can attend visioning sessions outside of their community. I mean that's part of this, right? Like we're I drove by all three high schools to get here tonight. Like drove by Mount View, drove by Belfast. Here I am. Like we're not that far apart. there also and I can just I'm only speaking about my own experience but I was a staff member in MS834 when we became RSU20 and then when we became RSU71 and that was very painful for a lot of people that was it was a very difficult time for Waldo County and for for Searsport and for Belfast and my my hope is that you

050know we can come together and really just have some conversations about education in general because we are literally six miles apart And so I think there was some real damage done during that time. I felt like and I'm only speaking to my own experience. Um but I felt embarrassed and I felt sad for students in a way that that some students and and communities were spoken about publicly and it really was not it was not helpful and it was not okay. And this is not that. And so I just I just say that because I've lived here all my life. Um, but I I am hopeful and I don't have an agenda. So whether we decide to go with 9216 or we decide that we have to try to build a new building or renovate

051our building or do something like those things are or or maybe we decide that we want to go to satellites. Maybe that is the best way. I don't know. But I think it's worthy of conversation and I hope somebody asks those very specific questions because what would it look like in our in Waldo County if we had satellites and students attended each other's high schools? Um I don't know if I answered your question. So So yes, I'm look So the next step so timeline, right? So I'm resigning from the board in August. Again, this is does not have to be like driven by me, but my hope is that we'll get as much of it done before then as possible. If we're going to go with a renovation or um any sort if we're going

052to do a grant application, it's due on October 30th. So, that would be the last day that it could be submitted. If it's not submitted October 30th and it's not happening. If only two high schools decide to sign on and and we decide to go with that, then that's that's fine. We'll just run it and see what happens. Um, if not, then I think the plan would need to be to go to bond uh to to work all year and then probably try to go to the polls in June of 27 for some sort of renovation or repair for the tech center unless there's a clear path in a different way. >> Thank you. Thank you. I'm really sorry that I I know that was long. I know we have a lot of business. Um

053I hope to see you at some of these sessions and I appreciate your time. My email's on the website. Travis's emails on the website. All of this information is on the website. Um if you can't find something that you're looking for, please, including the grant application and all the DOE info, um please let me know and I'll get it for you. >> Thank you. >> That was a lot of talking. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Celebrating excellence student and staff in the spotlight senior trip presentation. >> I apologize they're not here. I don't know why they didn't show up. So if we want I can do an explanation of the senior trip during that I can do it then. Do you want would you like him to do

054it now or wait? >> You're on. >> I'll do my best. >> So again, I apologize. I don't know where our senior representatives are, but they're not here. Um, so in your packet, you have the proposal for the senior trip. Um, thumbnail sketch, the group decided that they would like a weekend experience down in southern Maine in Old Orchard Beach in the Portland area. Um, the itinerary is attached. Um this is a culmination of four years of fundraising and working together. Um the students uh worked together to develop the itinerary. Um signing up, making sure that every student who wanted to go to the the senior trip could. Um and there was contracts that were signed. Um, in terms of what their obligation was to be part of the fundraising, um, they're leaving on a

055Friday afternoon late in May and coming back on a Sunday. Um, any questions for me as you're thumbming through trying to find it. >> I can I just want to see the agenda. I can't find it. >> Looks like some laser tags and climbing. laser tag, bowling, some some movies, a habachi. Oh man, come on. Uh a little trip to Old Orchard Beach potentially might be uh on the agenda. So, they're pretty excited. Um >> yeah, tons of it. So, we'll have um believe if I if I have the numbers right, there'll be 14 students who chose to attend. Um we'll be using district transportation in the form of the the small white buses um to get them down there. Um, so there's no cost for a driver, just cost for gas. Um, all fundraised.

056Uh, and I believe after they're all done, they'll have just about $1,000 left over. Um, so there's a little bit of flexibility. Yeah. >> So, how many students are in the senior class? >> It's a great question. 20 >> have that on, right? Oh, that's true. So, if somebody changes their mind, is there still an opportunity from their mind or did they already like kind of leave it in? We had to lock this in relatively early. So we implored them and poked and prodded and um yeah >> 30 says there's 30 students in the senior class. >> The the Yeah, it's 20 sorry 23 is the junior class. >> Um class. >> Yeah. So we have Yes, we have two very small classes, seniors and juniors and then it starts to ramp up beyond there.

057>> About half of them. >> Yep. Yeah. >> And we're seeing that as a trend, just outside of this conversation, we're seeing that as a trend when it comes to the senior trips. A lot of kids opting out. Um I'm not sure why and and how that's happening, but it is. And we want to make sure we still afford the opportunity for those that want to to have that experience. >> Very good. >> Thank you, Mr. T. >> Thank you. Considerations of minutes from the 31026 board minutes. That's in form of motion to accept. Second. >> Any questions? All in favor? And this is in a form of a motion to accept the 32426 board workshop minutes. Second. >> Any questions? All in favor? Consent agenda. Agenda. No action needed. Public participation. The board recognizes

058the value of public comments on school and educational matters. Public comment is li limited to three minutes per person for those who wish to speak. This is a time for the board to listen to to input from the public. Thank you in advance for attending our meeting and sharing your comments. And the first one is Lindsay. >> Hi guys. >> Hi. I just came here tonight just because I just want you. >> Yeah, you >> um I just wanted to get some clarification um as to what happened last week at the middle school. Um and um just make sure you know I feel like when things like these does does happen, I feel like afterwards the kids kind of just need a little extra like, hey, it's okay. We've got this. Um, and that's why

059I'm here tonight, cuz I know, you know, a lot of kids have a lot of anxiety about going back. Um, and I know that there are certain laws and rules that everybody has to follow, especially school boards, and, you know, by not saying certain thing, and I totally understand that, but just making sure that the kiddos know that it was addressed and, you know, so that's why we're here tonight is um, making sure that everybody feels safe. I feel like especially the younger ones um didn't really you know with co happening like education has just been kind of um lacking not lacking but they got a lot taken from them and so when disruptions like this happen and then it causes like you know a week's worth of oh my god like anxiety plus I'm

060I'm behind in school now and so I just wanted to be here to voice my concern about that um and just you know making sure it's it's positive after the fact like we've got this like everything's okay but so I didn't know if if you guys had anything that you can like tell probably not tell me but >> so thank you appreciate that and you're not wrong and we had it mic thank you Serena good job I'm really bad at my mic Um, we did have a conversation, Mr. Toothacaker and Mr. Vigu, we did call all staff together. Um, Monday, there was a conversation, but we had a follow-up conversation today. Um, just as an administrative team talking about what can we do better. So, upon reflection, that's our job is to make sure this

061is what we did. What can we do better next time? And everything that you're saying is everything that was brought up in today's conversation today. So, but we appreciate that and you're right. I mean, it's really important that we think about what were the things that we did and we didn't do as well as we could have and that we can if there were another similar incident >> that we can >> Yeah. And I just we just all want to make sure that the kids I mean that I I kept them both home Thursday and Friday not knowing because I did was not going to Friday they were so mad at me and I said I'm sorry not willing to jeopardize anything. So, um, and I know that there are certain things that cannot come

062out in the public and that's where you guys are have a hard time like being able to express to parents what has happened after the fact. Um, but I just feel like too like maybe some when when unfortunately when these things do happen, you know, maybe like uh I don't know, some sort of like positive something like saying, you know, like we're all in this together. We all feel the same way. Um, I I don't think like a group activity is warranted, you know what I mean? But just something saying that we're all, you know, we hear you and >> it's great. >> Yeah. Well, thank you guys. Am I allowed to ask a question? >> No, but go ahead, Roie. Anyway, >> one, thank you. Two, I've as a parent, I have the same

063I've had these conversations with admin. I'm wondering, is it possible and this is may not be >> cuz we can't always discuss this stuff with the public, right? But is it possible to do something where um the the guidance or social workers could be available if students want to talk to them before coming back? Like obviously they can't get into detail details but just like how they could process and like to make themselves feel >> more >> that was made available to all students. Okay. I was not aware of that. >> Right. And that was made available and Mr. Toothacre and Mr. Vigu again. >> So maybe when that thing came out that maybe that be included and a contact on how to do that. >> Yeah. Awesome. Thank you guys. >> I'm just going

064to say that as a parent and I've lived through it. Um it's been many years, but I have um I have faith in our administration team >> that um maybe it doesn't come across to you. um you didn't know that they had guidance and you didn't know um I guess maybe it's an afterthought but but they did follow through with that protocol >> and that um >> sometimes it seems like we we are sitting back and we're not but just because it's not posted so much to say but I think that um as she said they talked and that they they actually had the counselors and everybody there so um not that it made you feel better that day I'm including you too cuz I think you're here for the same reason. Um maybe >>

065I know maybe you didn't maybe it didn't come across that way but these guys um I'm I'm pretty proud of the way that they went about and and um followed through and and even came back and and have discussed it since to see if they left anything out. And um and I know it's harder sometimes sitting back and you think, "Oh jeez, they didn't." But they do. It's just it doesn't come across so much. So that's something that we'll look for in the future and maybe be a little bit putting it out there so that it's it takes a little bit of the stress off you and that >> you see not knowing and you have your child that she knows my daughter. She's very kindhearted girl and but she worries about everybody else around

066her >> and I did keep her home one day and then she got mad and >> you sent her the next day. >> Yeah. >> And and hopefully we'll look better through that. the not knowing, okay, am I safe? You know that. And I know like Lindsay says, you can't give out information. It's not like when we were younger and I'm I'm putting on my age right now. Parents from that person and then the other all got together in the principal's office and you sat there and you discussed it till that problem was solved. Now with the confidentiality, you can't do that anymore because you can't even sometimes say who that kid's parent is. You're not allowed to say anything. >> Correct. It's the not knowing, not necessarily all the information, but like was this

067certain student, okay, is he out of the school, you know, like how long is he going to be out or just like little details that you can tell your child, okay, you're safe, >> you're safe where you are. She I love her teachers and she knows they would protect her to the end of the world. But it's just as a mom. >> And I know by the way you're looking at me, you feel that too. To protect your child, >> it's hardly you can't answer their questions that they're asking. >> So what I would encourage and I'm I'm glad you guys are both here and I would encourage you to keep coming. But like me, I have become probably a thorn in admin side because I like I know you can't give me details. I

068want to know the process you go through. So like I know that even though I may not know the result of the process, they walked me through the steps without any names >> of this is what step 1 2 3 this is what and then I made my decision based on that. So maybe if that's part is it possible to do like a public flyer or like a p or maybe when something not that we want but if there's a situation that the like the outline of the process is made part of the blast and who they can contact for further questions just cuz I think sometimes if people even if they don't know the outcome if they just know the process it may be enough. I've had to research that and I felt a

069lot better after the fact knowing cuz I mean this is not just a this is a school you guys have certain things you have to do and that makes me feel better but just knowing too that like it was addressed like I I did talk to other parents that were involved in this and that's how I found out that like yeah like Josh was on it you know law enforcement was on it like everything's okay but still I was just like oh >> and I think it came out in your letter that you sent that to the parents that a situation happened um they cannot release a lot of the details >> and how it's handled is a little bit different. I mean for every scenario, right? I mean I can't to send out a

070blast and say this is how it might not be relevant to another situation. I think what we do encourage is contact me >> and just say fill me in. I think Ruth and I had conversations. I think it's okay to keep asking but I think that's okay. Keep asking the questions. I would say it feels weird to say don't call Josh, but but Josh and Bill were in the midst of doing a deep dive investigation. So, call me and and I'm happy to have those conversations come in and we can have those conversations for sure. But let them It's hard when they're trying to do right. They're trying to to do the public piece as well as do the stuff that needed to happen inside the school. But >> I think we get smarter the

071the more we work together as a team, the smarter we are as a whole. and having this feedback is really helpful and that's you know we appreciate that and we had a couple emails some nice emails that just said have you thought about this this and this so it was helpful for reflection to really think about that >> and I think it's important to have the conversations and I'm sure you both did with your children about like hey if you hear something it's important to tell us don't engage in the rumor cycle don't wait till later like if you feel like you have information cuz obviously most kids want to >> come home and they tell us about their day um but sometimes it's you want it earlier in the day, right? So, like, you

072know, having those conversations. If you hear something, you see something, go tell Mr. View, go tell Mr. Toothacre, don't engage in the rumor mill, that kind of thing. Um, don't worry about getting in trouble, that kind of stuff. Is just having those conversations and talk to your principles. >> My my big thing is is my daughter, we had an issue last year and I think you helped me solve it, I believe. But um so she doesn't trust anything that's said because we got shut down completely and that child was back in the school the next day sharing the class with her and she was like, "Oh god, >> sorry. We have rules. >> Okay, >> it's people at home, so you don't need >> Okay. Um so she's kind of nervous. She doesn't believe in

073the school system per se in that and she's a little nervous coming home and telling because that sub that issue last year which what you just said this year makes me very happy because things have changed this year which that makes me really happy. So I thank you for that. But so it's it's hard cuz now I have to say if you hear something I don't care if you think it's oh don't tell mom tell me anyways you know even if nothing gets tell me anyways. So she's having a problem with that. Whereas if I had like you guys said that one piece that she could even read and say okay they are doing this and this maybe it would make her feel better. >> So thank you ladies both for coming and as rule

074we're not going to answer but it is good tonight. So thanks. >> I think you understand. >> Yes. >> I was just going to add the ease your worries like I think the teachers handled it very well. Like there were some students asking the teachers like >> like like what happened and the teachers obviously can't classify what happened. So they kind of just what what I heard some teachers say was you can go up to the office, you tell the administration and they can give you what they're allowed to give you. And obviously that's not much. They're not going to give you any information really. But to ease some students worries and I don't know if anyone really did. >> The office was office was a busy place last week IN THIS. >> YEAH. So

075continue. >> Yeah, but I think I think that the teachers handled it very well. So, yeah, >> thank you. That's good to know. >> And and it it continues. I think one of the Josh and Bill again, we talked today. >> The students need reassurance and I think that, you know, and that's appropriate and the school needs to be sending that message. We we got you. We you're here and you're safe and we're going to do Yep. We're we're here for you. >> Thank you so much. So we appreciate if it does it then you get angry crazy people >> like I was. >> THAT'S OKAY. >> I WAS RESPECTFUL BUT I WAS NOT A HAPPY person at that time. >> And again this is a little bit off tangent but I think the world

076has changed. >> You talk about dating yourself. When we went to school social media has really added an idea in all of our heads students as well as adults that we want information. We want it now. we want instantaneously because that's what we get and that's school. We're just not there that there's there's we're not there that we share that me that that information instantaneously and that's hard for moms and dads as well as students. What do you mean? You can't tell us right now that we have to go still follow our process. So that's trying to balance needs >> and make sure we're saying the right words >> to get it out there while we're doing what we need to do. >> Thank you all so much. >> Thank you for coming. Thank you.

077>> Thank you guys. >> Have a good night. >> You too. Thanks. >> Just walking around the building. >> I got to say >> I know. She thought she thought you were high school student. She walked in and I was like, I'm not going to smile. I'M NOT GOING TO SMILE. I said you said that. I'm like, oh reports from the administration. >> Nothing required. Do you need >> any questions? >> I think the student one is good. >> Exactly. But before we get to student just any questions from here on here. Yep. Um you would also ask for you could see the communications from R.J. that list was the coaches volunteers and enrollment that's on there. That's >> D um for our sports team. So I think that was an ask from um meeting.

078So that's included. And now >> um not really too much, but um student council has been in like full effect um trying to play in March Madness, which actually went very well, even though half the school was sick and um but for the students that were there, I talked to a couple, they said it was great. It was still a lot of fun, even though there wasn't um that much of a school body there. Um, now we are trying to plan like a end of the year field day, kind of like a fun activity day where I mean if people do need to catch up on the classes, they'll have specific they'll have those teachers to go to to talk about what they need to catch up on just so they can pass their classes

079and whatnot and stay um academically um good, I guess you could say. Um, so we are looking at trying to plan a field day for fun activities. This will be obviously after the seniors leave, I believe. When do they graduate? >> June 6th. >> It might be. It might be even before they leave. Um, but it would just be outside activities, fun activities, water games. Um, like I think we had like kickball water slide in there. Um, just yeah, something to just end school off with a bang. And We did that. >> Yes, we did. >> Yeah. Just >> fun. Is it field day? You have different teams competing. >> So, when I was in school, they did freshman class against the juniors, sophomores against seniors, and we had thing like the egg toss and

080the three-legged race and arm wrestling and watch bring back the old school stuff. >> So, yeah. But, uh, so that's what we're really working on now. And that's about it. But prom. >> Oh, prom, too. Yeah, that's another big one. I am on prom, too. >> I don't think anyone in my household cares about prom. >> I I am on prom committee. So, prom is May 16th, I believe. Um, I know people in the prom committee are working hard and trying to figure that out. I know that there was a date miscommunication like two weeks, not even a week ago, maybe a week ago to two weeks ago. People thought it was May 26th, but it was actually 10 days ahead. Oh, I always wonder if it's on Mother's Day weekend. It sounds like it

081might be. >> Oh, good. >> Mother's Day. >> Yeah. May 16th. So, yeah. Um, we're doing that at the Red Barn. What is it called? >> Barnet and Rose. >> Yeah. >> Right across from the tech center, actually. Uh, great venue. Actually, there's probably going to be cornhole like there was last year. Good time. I believe there's going to be >> cornhole with prom dresses. All right. across the pink. There's a pink place. Blue pink. >> It's not really across. >> Well, when I say across, I mean it's across the street. >> It is on the same side of the road, isn't it? >> No, it's on the same side. It must be >> It's not the red building. >> The red building. It's on It's just before the >> It's on the same side.

082>> Cooperative extension at the Got Anyway, gotcha. >> But yeah, that other than that, that's about it. >> Very good. >> Thank you. >> Committee reports. Finance. Finance. We talked tonight. Everybody is up to date for paying. Um, we still have 35% of our fiscal budget intact. Other than that, that's about where we're standing. Our 24 audits almost done. So, we're sitting pretty good right now. Any questions? All right, we'll go to the next one. Personnel, we haven't had a meeting, so we saw good there. >> We did. >> Oh, yes, we did. Yes, we did. We cancelled the buildings and grounds twice. Sorry about that. We did have personnel meeting. Thank you, Sabrina. Um, we're going to bring a new principal forward tonight. Approve a new principal. >> That's the only thing we had

083on the agenda. I was in and out policy. >> So, we met on March 31st and we're still going through and making sure all of our policies are up to date and we have the policies we need to have. Um, we got through six on March 31st and we made very little if any alterations to those policies. If we did, they were very minor. Um, so they pretty much mimic the MSMA samples and all of them I believe are on the agenda for first reading. Is that correct? All six are on there for first reading. Um, so you >> I see five. >> Oh, five. So one maybe we didn't finish on our list of six. >> Um, made a mistake. >> We'll get it next time. Well, I think it's because we have we

084have some for second reading. >> Okay. >> But I'm not sure the ones for second reading are on our agenda from the March 31st. Are they? >> No, they >> they were from the previous meeting. So, there's five of the six that we looked at on your first reading um list tonight. Um and you can see all of those right in your packet. Our next meeting is the 28th. Is that right? >> 27th. >> The 27th. >> Monday the 27th. >> Because that was paid >> at 4:30. Yes. All right. Thank you. Buildings and grounds. That's the one we did not meet. All right. Old business. RSU 20 strategic goals plan include missions and visions and that needs to be in a form of a motion to accept it. >> Is there any discussion? I

085shared the copy with you so >> we need a second. >> now we can talk. >> Yeah. >> Conversation. So based on our workshop at the end of March um and the conversation we pulled together um it looks like based on our conversation that we were able to identify three goals um fostering educated growth and enhanced instructional excellence and with um four objectives that we can work on for the next number of years. Goal two was to strengthen community engagement and partnership with some objectives and the third goal was to ensure safe, modern and well-managing facilities. Yep. Below that, we also shared that um the mission and vision statement that had been created by the hard work at the high school level with um feedback from the elementary level that um initially they were called

086the importance of a graduate and they've changed it um to a vision of a graduate and it's really because we're looking at that um K12 perspective. Um, again, they did some a little bit more tweaking after our last meeting and and I don't know if you saw the graphic that I thought was really really interesting on the bottom of the page of vision vision of a graduate which >> so in the middle is it going to be our new little logo. >> Oh, that's the plan. Yeah. So, that's what we have. If you're want to make any final other tweaks in this or if you think it looks great and you want to adopt this as our strategic plan. Any other questions, >> comments? >> All in favor to accept it. >> Hold on. We're

087reading something. I got >> new business. Senior trip overnight approval. Make a motion to accept the senior trip overnight. >> Second. >> Any questions, comments? All in favor? Thank you. Probationary renewals. >> You going to do them? >> I'm going to do them separate because I was asked to. Um, Maria Franklin, high school guidance. That's in a form of a motion. I need a second as personnel. We cannot discuss. All in favor? Thank you. Patricia passes. Fifth grade teacher elementary school. And that's in the form of motion. All in favor? Thank you. Haley Lindelof, math teacher, high school. >> Second. >> All in favor. Thank you. Emma Beagle, grade five teacher, elementary. >> Second. >> All in favor? Thank you. Katherine Maxon, second grade teacher, elementary. >> All in favor? Thank you. Katherine King, school

088counselor, elementary and middle. >> Second. All in favor? Thank you. Lesie Maddox, special education teacher. Second. >> All in favor? Thank you. Ezra Kremer, social worker, middle school, high school. >> Second. >> All in favor. Thank you. Teachers to be considered for a continuing contract. Terry Hollowell, grade one teacher, elementary school. Form of emotion. Aldi's second. >> All in favor? Thank you. Colette Jis Balt teacher high school. >> Second. >> All in favor. Thank you. Melissa Lockat, social worker, elementary middle school. >> Second. >> All in favor. Thank you. Joyce Mooney, grade two teacher, elementary school. Second. >> All in favor? Thank you. Nikki Adams. Amsy. Damsy. Adamsy. >> Is that right? >> Adams. >> Okay. >> It's Dutch. >> Okay. Uh, science teacher, secondy year high school. Second. >> All in favor? That's one.

089We'll have to check that spelling. Derek Gin. Second year special education. I know. Second year. Derek Gen second. >> All in favor. Thank you. Eric >> Humeman, secondy year science teacher high school. >> Second. >> All in favor. Thank you. William Jackson, ELA teacher high school. >> Second. >> All in favor. Thank you. Drew Smith, Title One Library Teacher Elementary. Second. All in favor? Thank you. Sarah Wyman, second year library teacher, middle school, high school. >> Second. >> All in favor? Thank you. Okay. 123. New administrative staff. I make a motion to accept Tenny Spiegel as a new principal of the SCES elementary school. >> Second. >> All in favor? Thank you. Welcome aboard. >> Okay. New teaching staff special education SCES Linda Riff. >> All in favor against one against you got that. >>

090Okay. Thank you. Policy second readen. We need to vote. Can we take these all as one? Does anybody have any check? Okay. This is in a form of a motion to accept JKAA physical restraint, JKAA-R procedures on physical restraint and seclusion and CIFF graduation requirements. >> Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Great job, guys. Thank you. First reading. No action required. Any questions on these before we move on? >> Um, yep. Go ahead. >> Sorry, I just discovered yet another thing I can't click on. So, for any of these that are in the first reading, >> members of the policy committee, were there substantive changes to anything that you would recommend that we take a look at before the second reading? Like anything we should be really attentive to that's changed? >> Um, that's changed

091from our original policies. >> Yeah. like anything that was >> major discussion or something came from >> that you know those template things that we get like did anything really change that Drummond and Woodson's recommended changing that kind of thing. Yes. One. There was one. >> Well, immunization definitely was different. >> That's true. But >> follow follow the law. So, >> nothing that I would say are changes that we didn't have to make according to law. >> I guess that's what I was getting. Is there anything that >> is a substantive policy change as a result of like an internal RSU 20 decision as opposed to just >> No, I wouldn't say so. >> No. any of the big changes were statute, >> right? >> Resource officer. We had those policies, but these were update.

092They're all just updated, right? >> Yeah. >> Wording, but nothing. >> Mhm. >> Substantive that you'd say, "Oh, >> thank you." >> So, you can do those as one? >> No, >> you don't have to do anything. >> Oh, that's right. I just wanted to know a question looking at anything. >> Curriculum vote. Can I interject? >> Go right ahead. >> Interject. >> I believe by public you do have to vote for First Street. I think I said the last policy. >> We just No. No. It wasn't you. >> It wasn't you. By policy because I'm used to that. And when I went back to check this district, it is by policy. You are supposed to vote for first and you can vote in block. You don't have to vote separately. But >> I'm going

093to take them as one. >> If nobody objects, >> that's fine. >> That's the first time we've had to do that. He was right. I would have gone with you. Um, JLCB, heization of students. KLGA, relations with school resource officers and law enforcement authorities. C, KLGA-R, school resource officer, law enforcement administrative procedure. And D, CF, school building administration, and E, EBC, school closing and cancellations. And make that in the form of a motion to accept it. Any more questions? All in favor? Thank you. Curriculum vote. ELA. Um, can we make a motion to take these as one? >> Julie, is there anything that you want to share just as curriculum committee? >> Um, we spoke we spoke about it uh at our last meeting, I think, and and I shared that the these were coming

094forward. um they are for um you know K 12 um and so um if you have any other questions we we're happy to answer them. >> Does anybody have any questions? >> Can I make just a statement as well? So again one of the things that we're trying to focus on is building that foundation of what the standards are in May by DOE. Um and you know that in May we're coming forward with the high school. So I um more work the work that's being done in Atlas. So we see these as the standards and then what you'll see is the programming that happens at the middle the elementary middle and high school is a little bit different. Right? The standards are our basis and and what the teachers use um to make sense of

095the work that they're doing in their lesson planning as they move forward. So, we just wanted you to understand the difference that the work that is being done through Rubicon Atlas might look different because that's their lesson planning. That's their programming versus the standards and it's a little bit but it's it's the same. It's based on main state DOE. I is that >> I have a question. I don't know if this is the right spot for it. So, if it's not just shoot me a flumpy face. Um my understanding or what I what I have heard is that the there's going to be some changes with curriculum down at for the littles and that the focus is going to be primarily on math and reading with science and social studies kind of built in versus

096and I I guess I'd like to have is that part of this conversation because that's a little concerning to me. So yes yes and no. As you know, there's only a certain number of hours. Um, elementary teachers similar to high school um, and middle school, but there's so many hours in the day. And especially at the K2 level, our content really needs to be focused on core literacy and math. They need to have that those foundational skills. They need to have that basis before they can learn anything. It doesn't mean that we're not still going to be teaching science and social studies and health standards. We still have those. We'll still work on those, but those won't be the focus. The focus will be teachers will be putting most of their energy into literacy and

097math skills because kids need to know those things. So, the new magnetic literacy program that we're using integrates science and social studies themes. So, as kiddos are learning to read and write and rhyme and do all of those skills that they need to do, they're also learning about themes about could be life cycle of animals. It could be um citizenship. It could be any of those social studies and science themes. So, that's how it's integrated. >> Now, is the is the shift going to include more paper, pencil, hands-on versus I get it, the state testing is tech, but like I'm concerned about like you I go to the middle school sometimes and some of those kids don't even have fine motor skills, you know? So, like are is there I know that I everyone has

098to do and I ready and all of that and I don't think it's a secret to anybody. It's not my not my jam. >> Um and I but I understand the place for it. But for the littles, is there going to be a push to get them off technology on paper and pencil and books? >> So yes, yes and yes. >> Good. Thank you. >> So So again, conversation already at the elementary level and in our wellness committee. So one of the things that we're moving toward and Mark is aware at the elementary level next year, we'll be sliding back um iPads and Chromebooks for K12. will be pulling them out except in small doses for like stations for centers. So imagine that you're in a kindergarten first grade room and the teacher has a

099group and she's working on reading and somebody's working with magnetic letters and they're working on letter recognition. Somebody else is where you know there's there's six different stations. One of the stations could be 10 minutes and they have an iPad in front of them if they get to that station and they're practicing skills. We're the the new principal and I already in conversation talking about how do we pull those those iPads those Chromebooks away and let's play games. We talked about this today in uh admin team and said it used to be before co that Shander and I would partner and we both have dice and we practice our addition skills by rolling dice and having conversations and learning how to be gracious winners and losers and what do we need to practice? How did

100you figure that out? what was your strategy in having those conversations as opposed to sitting in front of a screen with with yourself and not having any of those conversations. So, that's the direction that we're moving in. Um, and it's a direction we've been there before. We just have to re-imagine what it used to be like to have those things. And the wellness committee, um, we have a district committee and the goal that will be coming your way that we have had feedback from the administrative team today is reducing screen time K12. >> Period. >> Right. not just at the elementary, but we're starting slow. We're starting baby steps, but you'll see that it's going to work up. And um again, there's a difference between, we talked about this today, me practicing math and literacy

101skills versus the middle school and the high school using a computer to do weird processing. I don't see that as screen time. I mean, yes, do they still need to be able, but nowadays I do don't do a lot of pencil paper writing. I do all of my work on the computer. And do we see that the middle school and the high school? Absolutely. We see research and everything that's done that way, but will we focus at the elementary on penmanship and letter formation and all those things? Absolutely. Well, just to follow up two things. I mean, like I get it, the school year is almost done, so I think it'd be I don't know, maybe kind of easy when they go back in the fall that those ad things just don't aren't there at

102all for the elementary school cuz there's not I mean, you got the whole summer. They can be on their own devices at home if they want to with their parents. start the school year fresh without them. That would be my >> Mhm. >> my my my hope. Um with regards to the middle and I get there's the word processing thing, but I'm noticing with my own that they're not sounding words out cuz they're counting on the word processor to pick up their spelling errors and they and I've heard it said multiple times, don't worry about it. It doesn't matter. The spelling the machine's going to pick it up. And I'm like, so understanding it is important, a skill that they're going to have to learn, but maybe >> it's a if I had a magic

103wand, it would be ripping right out of the elementary school at the end of the school year because they go back and they won't it'd be >> that's just the way it is, right? Just like it was before co they weren't as big, right? And that will definitely be a conversation that needs to be had. I'm just not sure. I can tell you about K12 for sure. Um I'm not sure how how much grades 3 4 5 are counting on it for word processing and things like that or is it more just skill practice. So that's what I we need to before we can make >> I still think it probably reduce some behaviors right because if folks are on screens >> before and after school at home and then there are screens at school

104and then screens go off that tends to cause >> and again there's right there's different kinds of screen usage and that's what we're trying to Yeah. And one of the things I think Josh suggested at admin team today, could Mark start gathering data for us? Can we mine some data within the district by grade level? Who uses it and how is it used so that we can kind of get a bit better picture of what's being used and how so we can make more informed decisions. So yes, >> thank you. >> Can we take these all as one? >> Mhm. >> Um I make motion to accept the IRSU 20 draft written ELA curriculum. The draft RSU 20 ELA standards by grade level. The draft RSU 20ELA crosswalk. Draft RSU 20ELA rubrics. Draft RSU 20

105ELA curriculum map. >> Second. >> Any more questions, comments? All in favor? Thank you. make a form of a motion to accept the music draft RSU 20 written music curriculum, the RSU20 music standards by grade level, the music crosswalk 2026, the draft RSU 20 music rubrics, and draft RSU 20 music curriculum map 2026. >> Any questions on that one? Any comments? All in favor? Thanks. The library draft in the form of motion draft RSU20 written library curriculum. The draft RSU20 library standards by grade level. The draft library cross crosswalk 2026. The draft RSU20 library rubrics and the draft RSU20 library curriculum map 2026. >> Any comments or uh comments? All in favor? Thank you. sign warrants for the FY27 budget. Laur >> motion. >> Thank you, Mark. >> Motion. I move that the vote entitled

106vote to call and approve the warrants for the budget meeting and the budget validation referendum and to authorize the notice of amounts adopted be approved in form presented to this meeting and that a copy of the vote be included with the minutes of this meeting. Vote vote to call and approve the warrants for the budget meeting and the budget validation referendum and to authorize the notice of amounts adopted. voted that the warrant for the regional school unit number 20, the regional school unit budget meeting presented to the meeting to the meeting be approved and that the regional school unit budget meeting be called for May 19th, 2026 for the purpose of voting on the annual budget for the regional school unit for the 2627 fiscal year. that the warrant in the notice of election for

107the regional school unit budget validation referendum presented to the meeting be approved and that the regional school unit budget validation referendum be called for June 9th, 2026 for the purpose of approving the budget adopted at the regional school unit budget meeting for the 2627 fiscal year. and that the form of notice of amounts adopted at the budget meeting presented to this meeting be approved and that the superintendent of schools of the regional school unit be authorized and directed to complete said notice in accordance with the regional school unit budget meeting for May 19th, 2026 and to cause copies of said notice as completed be delivered to the m municipal clerks of each municipality of the regional school unit for posting at the polling places for June 9th, 2026 regional school unit budget validation referendum. A

108true copy as adopted by the majority of the board attests this said budget or motion. >> We need a second. >> Thank you. All in favor? What was the time? We changed the time, didn't we? >> 6:30. >> So, every one of you has a black pen. Please use that in signing. sign directly underneath the person in front of you signature. They all have to be in the same order. >> Don't mess it up. >> While we're doing right there, >> don't forget to go to the play. >> Don't worry about them getting out of sync. >> So, you and I'll go the 27th. Yeah, it's clipped together. So, just you just >> Oh, I think I didn't know I wasn't supposed to >> only because >> Laura, do you want to collect and pass

109on? >> Yes, I will. >> Dr. Miller, >> no. I think you did. >> Sabrina, have you had to go down? >> Have you had to go down? Sabrina, >> have you had to go to Rhode Island? >> Oh, Maryland. Sorry. I was thinking Rhode Island. >> That's me. >> You was just there. >> I'm trying to find an apartment. >> How'd that go? >> Good. Sorry. >> Now, can you walk to that? >> No. Is it It's a ways then. No, no, that's fine. >> Oh, yeah. I can get them back in >> the other popcorn. >> Thank you. Thank you. Cuz that saves me from having to miss the thing to do. >> Oh, >> thank you, Isaac. >> Hi, Is that recycle? >> Yeah. >> In the kitchen. >> The first one.

110Right around the corner, too. Go straight ahead. >> Just be careful in there with food. >> I don't think there's any. >> No, you don't. I have a big name. Those kind of syllables were Christina. Yeah. Oh, we got to end it last. I write a day. Julie Julie beautiful cursive >> the K. My kid can't write his own name in in curs. >> My last name used to be >> used to be what? >> That was terrible. >> I love that last >> mine was Karino. Try doing a cute in elementary schools which I refused to and I number two. So, I just make a cute and my teacher would just shake her head. She goes, "One of these days, you're going to grow up and realize you don't know how to write your

111name." >> Whenever I send her a card, I make sure the Q is really big like this so she knows. I refuse to do it the right way. >> She told me she's good Lord. How many of these do we have? Are there too many? >> I do. >> Sabrina's probably rusting through it cuz she has like one of those doctor signatures. It's like that's WHAT THEY PRACTICE. I >> they practice in PhD when you're working on your PhD. It's just like not really. You get to be a doctor. You can kind of just like make up a signature. >> I love that signature. The first time I saw I'm like that's not a real signature. And then she's like I'm a pink. There you go. It's a doctor signature. houses in 30 years. >>

112Somebody seems to think it's real enough >> and no one's copying it, right? >> Oh, Aaron's is ridiculous. >> What are you doing? >> Well, she was still doing the other kind like she's supposed to. She's doing her job. She's doing her job. Putting them on the wall. You're starting crosspollinate the kinds of documents. >> This one's different. These ones. >> These ones are different. >> These guys. These guys. You guys. >> Do you love that one? >> You can't say >> you guys. >> Mine's supposedly no small. Yeah. No, wait. >> Only to be met with irregardless. >> No, on accident. >> On accident. >> No, these are new. >> Yeah. So, that was the last. Don't hold them back to make me get behind. >> I see what you're doing. >> Good job.

113>> I'm done. Ruth, what's your excuse? Come on. Sat there and sat on three of them while I was waiting. >> Are your hands broken yet? >> Yeah. My signature is but not my hand. >> My R has gone away. The rest of it stayed pretty good, but my R has kind of just >> eaten it. >> We missed you Sunday. No, >> we're we're attending Little River. >> Oh, closer. >> Yeah, >> there you go. I appreciate it. I >> now I got nobody to pick on. >> He's going to miss you. >> And and it wasn't the reason, but um um we're getting closer. The pastor, the pastor over at Lighthouse, very good. He and his wife and and the church is very this close. And this one's a small one. We feel

114like >> I used to be small like that having all those babies. >> Well, pastor's families, I'm sure. But what I like about um the church is >> the foundation is the foundation is youth development, which is really his mo in regard to all of this, right? He talks about how you prevent these things from happening, but he's also an expert on security. >> Yeah, >> I think they're a good speaker. I'm wondering if it would be if we can come up if by we I mean the like a little generic like in situations the obviously every situation is different but situations that involve like the that the process is blah blah blah blah without getting too specific and then like here's who you can call again questions and then maybe like a maybe I

115don't This one isn't This one's probably not. We had a situation like this once >> in our school where someone actually >> Yes. Anyway, and so there was like a a conversation like a um in prepared for return. >> These are the things that go into place before someone just generic. >> No, that's exactly what we kind of talked about. >> Just like a little flyer. So that >> I think it's going to be like teacher talking points. These are some things that >> Well, I'm just saying something that can be sent to the parents. so that they can have those conversations >> honestly right similar topic ones knowing these saying this is how this is how you can follow up >> but sometimes they have >> I know sometimes they have to wait until

116>> you've investigated it >> well that's what I'm saying is explain that >> I'd be happy if the agenda isn't too thick on in May I can go through the seag process in general as I've done before but maybe for the benefit of the larger community so they understand what the processes are >> I think that would be super helpful. >> And I would greatly appreciate it just to add to your pile of stuff. >> Date and time >> next May 12th, uh, finance committee at 6, board meeting at 6:30 here at the central office. Just so you you're aware, May 19th, if you don't have it in your calendar yet, that's the board validation meeting at Sport District Middle High School at 6:30. Um committee meetings I have April 16th, which is this Thursday

117is Wal County Tech Committee. >> We got to talk about that. >> Okay. And policy is scheduled for Monday the 27th at 4:30 the day in our communications. >> So, policy at 4:30. >> Policy at 4:30 to quarter 6 and then because Ruth and I and Josh all go to the back. >> So Shandra and I will be in Stockton. >> I'll put that on the agenda as well. >> And the next day for Sears is it? >> Yes. >> I'll put those both in here. >> Will you have those some printed out for both towns if you Okay. Are they both at 6:00? >> Yes. >> 27th. We're going to take those um packets that Laura did for the um >> budget that they got ready and we're going to go and present them

118because we told both offices that we would. >> Yep. Any other comments? Do we have any personnel at repeat building grounds meetings? I mean, I don't think necessarily have anything that warrants. >> I don't I didn't put it on here, but we have one on the books. Wait, if we hear from insurance, we will definitely call one. I'll email you both again like the week before if we haven't heard anything. >> I'll email you all three. >> It's not looking promising >> that we'll have it. When would it? It's the first week of May, right? It's May. Yes, we have it. May 7th. Do you want me to put a tenative on the minutes just so you have? >> Y. >> Is there any functions coming up that we should be aware of? Or the

119wagon. I know that. Anything else? >> Yes, we have the the play is Wednesday and Thursday 6 o'clock at the middle little middle little middle little middle little middle little middle little middle little high school. Anything else popping up as far as >> there? We have a a spring concert coming up in August. >> May 6th. >> May 6. Thank you. >> But that'll be a K12 as it is in the spring. So, >> will you send that to me and then I'll send them a calendar invite just so they can have it in the calendar. >> May six or there's also district five. >> I shared the wagon thing already. Did you see? Yeah. I've been sharing what I kind of got out of there to the um towns. It's actually been quite receptive.

120I did the um student of the month. I got to tell you on both towns were quite impressed to have that that is something they like very much. So um any other comments where I adjourn? Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? Thank you.