001and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Nomination of board officers. Do we have a nomination for school board chair Tina? Oh, sorry. I'd nominate uh Don I'll nominate Don Emery as chair and I'd like to speak to my nomination. Can we'll do that after a second? Absolutely. Do we have a second? Elaine has a second. Everybody will get a chance to speak. Remember during the discussion phase part of that can also be if you are interested in nominating somebody else this is the time to discuss that because we're only allowed to have one person to be nominated at a time. So you'll be able to ask questions of people. You'll be able to say I was going to nominate somebody else and
002is that person interested in taking it if they were to get nominated just like Don will have a chance to speak to say whether or not he wanted to get nominated or not. So, we'll start with Tina and then raise your hand and we'll get a chance, everybody will get a chance to speak. Thank you. Um, Don and I don't see eye to eye on maybe most things actually. It's been it's been kind of rough. Um, but in spite of having had some really rough conversations, uh, Don has proven to me that he's willing to put in the effort and be fair-minded and stay pointed in the right direction. He is here for this school. He's here for these kids. He understands the the mission statement, the code of ethics, the reason that we're all
003here doing this. and he has put in an enormous amount of work into learning this job. Uh he's taken this role and um and really worked through some difficult stuff with it. And so in spite of our tectonic differences um I I fully support him and I hope that you'll join me in voting for him. Anybody else wants this? Andrew this is a bit off subject for me but I'd like to have the new board members introduced to just Well, I'll do that right now just because normally we'd have the board chair do that, but we don't have a board chair right now. So, we have Tanya Dillo, new from knew from Jay, board member Sher Wlette. Well, actually had been on the board back when it was just Jay years ago. I hired you.
004Yes, she did. Sherry Wlette is back. She's been on the board before when we were RSU73. Who else? Ava is new. Hi, Ava. Hi, Ava. Aa, one of my for one of my former students. Um, so those are the three new people that are on the board. Welcome to the board. Thank you. And now people who have do you have a question or a statement, Andrew, other than that? Okay. Thank you for pointing that out. Anybody else have a statement? Holly? What will happen is the the only person that's up for nomination at the moment is Dawn. Okay? That's the only one at the moment that you can vote for. However, if you bring up that you wanted to nominate somebody else and somebody else is interested in that as part of the discussion, when
005it comes time to vote for Dawn, you would probably vote no because you wanted somebody else and then somebody else would get nominated afterwards. Yeah, but you can say during your discussion that you are interested in nominating somebody else so that people know. Otherwise, everybody's Oh, Don's the only one running. People are going to vote first. I would like to say that um working with Dawn has been um a good experience. Um, I have had some good and bad experiences throughout our time working together. Nothing horrible, obviously. Um, I think we need maybe a new face to the board and I'm consider I'm going to nominate Sher Wlette. Does anybody else want to speak? Roger. [Music] I'm very much against the nomination. I like Don, great guy, but um you guys tried to remove board
006member comments at the last meeting and that's absolutely crossing a line to me. It was an infringement on my First Amendment right and I hope that we'll take that into consideration when we vote. Anybody else? Elaine. Hi. Um I have the same question I'll have for all the people that are nominated tonight and that is number one Dawn um are you willing to follow all the policies related to board responsibilities ethics and practices as well as supporting the laws of the state of Maine? Yes. Thank you. And I want to thank you for your service. Again we may see things very very differently but we've been cordial. We've been polite. We've worked through those things and I appreciate the service and I support you. Does anybody else have anything to say? You want to ask
007Andrew? Are we having discussions only on Don's nomination at this point in time? Don is the only one that's up for nomination at this time. Okay. You can have discussions about this like I said or you can ask but and then Don will be once you guys are done discussing we will have a vote. If Don has the majority, then he becomes the board chair and then we go to the vice chair. If he doesn't have enough votes, then he gets voted down and then we will look for another nomination for board chair. Okay. Well, in that case, I got a question then. Okay. Uh Don, what do you see as a vision for the next like one to three to five years with the board? I know you you've only been on like a
008couple years. Do you have every intention of staying on and and guiding things? What do you think will be the toughest thing to uh rem uh remain as chairman? I do I do intend to to remain on and um I I have a statement prepared that I think would answer your your question if that's okay. Is that all right? When it's your turn. Yeah. Oh, when it's my turn. Okay. So, when it's my turn, then I will absolutely answer your question. Does anybody else have anything they want to say at the moment? All right. Uh just thought that I would uh kind of explain why I would uh seek to be uh to continue to be chair. Um if you would have asked me eight weeks ago, I probably would have said no. Um but
009some things have changed since then. So, as chairperson uh for RSU73 school board, my commitment has never been about titles, ego, or political gain. It has been and remains about responsible leadership, stability, and doing what's best for our students, staff, and community. Over the past months, our district has faced increasingly increasingly contentious issues from state level mandates to local budgetary pressures. In these times, we need leaders who can keep a steady hand on the wheel. That's exactly why I've worked hard to prioritize passing a sound and balanced budget before stepping into more complex and cultural and legal debates such as the rights of students in sports. We cannot afford to let emotional reactionary politics derail the essential functioning of our schools. Our schools, our kids need classrooms, teachers, and support. and that takes a staple
010budget first. Some board members would prefer to leap head first into polarizing conflicts without preparation or strategizing, but I believe that approach is shortsighted. We must be deliberate and be united when challenging state overreach, not fractured and disorganized. A failed budget vote or a divided board would only weaken our credibility and hurt the very students we claim to advocate for. There are also concerns on the board about adherence to ethics and respectful conduct. I have consistently called for professionalism and civility, not just in board meetings, but in every public interaction. Unfortunately, some have allowed personal grudges and combative behavior to take precedence over collaboration. This is not the leadership our district needs or deserves. I want to be clear. I do not cling to the role of chairperson for personal reasons. I would stay in
011this role because I believe RSU73 needs experienced, grounded leadership right now, not chaos. This is a pivotal time and my only goal is to ensure our district stays focused on real positive outcomes for our students. On a quick side note, at one of our recent board meetings, an incident occurred that merits reflection. not just for our board, but for the community we serve. One of our board members told me that they had decided to vote yes for a measure that after thorough review clearly aligned with the best interests of our students and our district. However, however, when it came time to vote, this board member reversed course, not because new information had emerged, but seemingly because they noticed certain others were voting against it. This is not how responsible governance works. Every board member was
012elected to represent the district thoughtfully and independently. Our duty is to weigh facts and act in the best interest of our schools, not to follow the crowd or vote out of fear of disscent. This takes courage. We do not serve effectively when we treat leadership like a popularity contest. We serve effectively when we lead, when we bring our own convictions, our own analysis, and our own voices to the table. Every student, teacher, and family in this district deserves leadership grounded in what is right, not what is expedient. I call on all board members, present and future, to remember why we are here. Be your own board member. Be your own board member. Vote your conscience. do what's right for the district, even if you stand alone in doing so. That is leadership our schools deserve.
013I ask my fellow board members and the broader community to look past personalities and politics and instead ask, who is working to hold this district together? Who is prioritizing our children's futures over public grandstanding? I believe everyone knows where I stand as a Christian conservative. I grew up in this town. I went to school in this town. I went into the service for this country who has I have three grandsons and granddaughters in this school system. I serve as a deacon at my church. I'm a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War and I love serving my fellow veterans. I care deeply for this community. Let's not be distracted by division. Let's stay focused, do the business of the district, and move forward together. Thank you. Any other comments or discussions? Ava, do you
014have anything at this time? I do not. Thank you. Anyone else want to speak? Roll call, please. No Yes. No. She said no. Michelle, no. No. Nope. The motion does not pass. Do we have other nominations for board chair? Holly, I'd like to nominate Sher Wlette for board chair. Do we have a second? Roger. Okay. Discussion. All comments. Andrew, I'd like to put the same question to Sherry as I did to Don. What do you see as your vision, your leadership style? What would you like to see the board accomplish? Uh, so my leadership style is is just this. I I'm not a big fan of politics. I'm hoping that we can all come together for the good of the school. Um, that's why we're here. That's why we were elected by the people that
015from each town. Um, my goals going forward are to look at each and every budget item that we have to see, you know, what we have. I've never tried to blow smoke up anybody's butt and said, you know, one thing and then done something else. That's not me. If you have, you know, questions about why I do things, you know, please feel free to ask. Um, I like Don am, you know, Christian conservative and don't make any, you know, fact of trying to hide that. Um my goal, as I said, is is to lower the budget as best we can if we can next year. Um we've got some big items on the table that hopefully we can come together um and work through as as a group. Um as as chair, um I will
016not vote unless it is a tie. Um that's per Robert's rules. And uh that's the rules that that we're going by. Um so um if anybody else has any questions, please let me know. Elaine, I'll ask you turn it on. I'll ask you the same question that I've said I would ask. Will you support the policies regarding board behavior and ethics and responsibilities as well as the laws of the state of Maine? Absolutely. I took the oath uh stood, you know, so help me God. And well, we also have the policies of the board and I just appreciate your answer. Yes. Thank you. Yes. Thank you. Any other statements or questions? Seeing none, roll call, please. No. No. No. Yes. That was a yes. Yes. Roger. Yes. No. Andrew. No. The motion passes. Thank you.
017Bear with us with us a minute as we swap. Uh, looking for nominations for vice chair. Roger. I'd like to nominate Don Shout for vice chair. Do I have a second? Second. Any uh discussion? Holly. Discussion. Lane. Hi, Don. I'll ask you the same question I asked everybody else. Do you uh see that you can support the policies of ethics and behavior and responsibilities of the board as written in our policies as the state of Maine laws. Yes. Thank you, Don. Uh I would just ask uh Don Stout uh why you want to be vice chair and what do you think that the role entails for responsibilities? Well, the reason I would like to be is um to know more what's going on with the board. Sometimes I feel like I'm uninformed and I'll be
018able to be more informed. Go to some of the meetings that I'm curious that happens. I'll be Sherry's right-hand person and help her do any research that she needs, do any contact in stuff that she needs. pretty much um there to help Sherry and and uh just follow up and follow through things with her. Any other questions for Don? Can I have a roll call, please? No. Yes. Yes. She said yes. Michelle, no. Yes. Roger. Yes. No yes it passes 76 We have one adjustment to the agenda um which will be added down below. Uh administrators renewal Jenna Cody um looking for approval for the April 10th 25 budget referendum uh meeting minutes. Don. Yes. Do I have a second? Elaine, any discussion? Any omissions? All in favor? All opposed? Uh, any abstensions? Ava would
019abstain and the new folks would abstain. Yes. Sorry. Yeah. Tanya, Tanya, myself, and Ava abstain. Okay, so that passes. Um, looking for a motion on the minutes for the April 10th regular Oh, I'm sorry, special school board meeting minutes. So moved. Second. Second by Elaine. Thank you. Any discussion? Any emissions? No. Seeing none, all in favor? All opposed and and three abstensions again. Uh public comments. I have Brett Dialing. Daling. Please step up to the to the microphone. Could you could you press the There's a button. Yep. Got it. Uh we don't have this at the uh town office, so this is fancy. Um I'm the Brett Daling. I'm the vice chair of the select board for the town of Liverour. Just wanted to come in and represent our town. Um as you all know,
020the town of Livermore voted no on the uh school budget. Um, I'd like you all to consider that as we move forward that, you know, people in our community in particular are unimpressed with the performance of the school district. And, uh, it should make you all think that you should consider, you know, the voting public as you discuss the budget for next year. Um, in addition, overall, 68% of the voters from all three communities voted no on number two. The the uh would you like to have your voice taken away question that you asked um of all of the towns? And I think that's a pretty overwhelming majority of people. And I would ask the board to uh consider why you're asking that question and potentially ending that question uh in future elections for the
021towns. And that's really all I have. I'd just like to answer that question right there. It's the law. Every three years we have to put that on the ballot. Okay. Okay. So yeah, so you won't see it next year. Every three years we have to put that question on the ballot. Appreciate that answer. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Board comments. Nobody. Okay. Well, Tina, I actually had something written up and I left it all sitting on my printer tonight, including my nomination for you. It's teacher appreciation week and I just really want to double down on that. Um, thank you folks so much for all that you do. Agreed. Thank you so much, Tina. Andrew, I just like to thank the communities of Jail of Mor Falls for uh passing the budget. I know it's
022it's a rough thing, but I'm glad we have that support. and also welcome to our new board members. I'm glad that uh you get out there and uh made your voices known and and the voters made a choice. Welcome award. Thank you. Any other board comments? Ava, can you hear me? Nothing. Okay. Thank you. No comments. Thank you. Holly, I just want to say thank you for allowing me to be the vice chair for the past year. Um, I've learned a lot. Um, and I'm hoping to still be very active in the school board. Um, I have a few things that I'm going through with my husband's health. So, um, that was my main reason why I didn't seek the vice chair again. Um, but thank you all and let's have a good year. Thank
023you, Scott. Good evening. I'd like to thank all the voters who came out and supported our school budget for another year. I understand with the rising costs, it's harder for people to do that, but it is greatly appreciated. As Tina pointed out, this is teacher staff appreciation week. Thank you to our professional staff for all that you do for our students. It's also nurses appreciation week. Thank you to our nurses. We have a wonderful group of them who do an outstanding job for the district. Uh I finished up my administrator evaluations by having final meetings with each of them over the past couple of weeks. I was lucky enough to attend the senior honors banquet. It was a wonderful evening celebrating our best and brightest. I really hope board members can put it on their
024calendars for next year. This year was a little bittersweet for me because it was the last group of students that I had as a middle school principal. Uh also during these last couple weeks, I chaired the final administrative certification committee meeting for the year. We worked to get six Western Maine administrators reertified. Any questions for Scott? Thank you. Administrator's reports, Jenna. Okay. Um, a special welcome to the new school board members and the former ones who are returning. And I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Sorry. Um, so I have been doing my best to keep you guys updated in regards to Texas First Basera, the lawsuit that is attempting to rule section 504 services unconstitutional. And I do have an update. Um, so on April 17th, the court issued an order that is called
025staying the case. That means that everything is paused and there is no immediate legal proceedings taking place. The lawsuit has not been dismissed or resolved or anything like that. Um, but we were told that the next update should come this summer in July. I don't know the beginning of July, the end of July, but hopefully we'll hear more then. Um, I also wanted to address that in March a question was raised as to where our district's percentage of students who receive special services and 504 services compares to state and national um, averages. So, I did bring that tonight. So for when it comes to special services, uh nationally um there's 15% of students receive special services. Statewide in Maine it's 19.5% and in our district we have 24.6%. So you can see you know our
026uh percentage is greater than national and state. Uh when it comes to section 504, nationally 3% of students um have 504 plans. Um before I go on, I do want to share with you that any student that has an IEP is also eligible for section 504 services and those numbers are not included in this clearly, right? If special ed students, you know, make up 15% in national and 504 is 3%. So the state percentage for Maine is 5%. So we went from 3% to 5%. And right now ours uh for the district is 7.19%. Which I do, you know, expect that to continue growing as more and more people learn about section 504 services and the accommodations that we offer. So as an update to the numbers at each building, um I did not report
027in April for you guys. So, we're comparing March to May. So, normally it's a month-to-month, but this time we had a month in between. So, at the high school, uh, we had 39 students with active 504 plans in March. And this month, we have 38. At the middle school in March, we had 25 students with active 504 plans and one in referral. And this month, we have 25 students with active 504 plans. At the elementary school in March, we had 23 students with active 504 plans and one in referral. And uh this month we currently have 25 students with active 504 plans. And at the primary school in March we had eight students and this month we also have eight students. I um I have received a request from two different teachers and a parent
028for a section 504 referral form. So I expect uh to receive three more within the next week or so. So our total numbers in March were 95 and this month we are 96. Questions for Jenna? Uh I do have one. Why do you think there's such a big disparity be between the district numbers and the statewide and the in the nation? Yeah. So, I think that, you know, remember this is just my opinion just based on kind of what I've seen and when I've been at director's meetings and that sort of thing. Um, Maine is a little bit more rural than, you know, many other states and there are less services that go around. Um, so I think that that plays a part in it. When it comes down to our district, um you will
029find that um the more lower income areas you have, you will find an increase in section 504 and special services. Um why that is, you know, you guys would have to look into that. Um but it is it is an increase in this area. Not it's based it's truly based on need. These kids actually require the plans. It's not like a inflated number where we're just trying to get as many kids receiving services as possible. We're just a high need area. Thank you. You're welcome, Elaine. In regards to those numbers, I'm sure that if you did a breakdown of state by economic, socioeconomic breakdown, and you compared communities that that are more of the uh makeup of our community, you'd find very similar numbers. Um, in communities that are are more affluent and have a
030a richer community background, you'd find it to be much lower. So, it's really hard in the state where we have a vast difference and a lot of rural communities that don't have the preschool experiences that our kids have zero through five. Um, and I think that we have a lot of to it. We have also have places where um we're when we take kids and they're moving from special ed and IEPs to the next level, we're saying you're going to fly on your own, but we have these things in 504 that we can support you with. So, we're gonna have something here. It may not be as intense as you had in special ed. 504 is filling that gap. And then hopefully some of those kids will move completely out of services. I have a
031grandson who did this and it's having that safety net of 504 and those things that support him not having to see deceit to receive direct special ed services even though he's a child who is a health impairment um with in that category. Um, what a great transition he had from hands-on backup in special ed services directly to knowing that 504 was overlooking while they he wasn't he was in their case load but not receiving active service that was there to help him as he transitioned from middle to high school and that made all the difference. this coming year when we have another meeting, I anticipate we'll be moving out of all services. But that's what 504 is. That's another piece of what it does. So, it's not just let's offer this. I don't want anybody
032to think that this is this is another plugin, another support um to help our special services kids to help kids that don't necessarily qualify for special services because they have a health impairment. Um it could be because of ADD, ADHD, it could be something totally different. So, I hope I didn't take too much time. Oh, no. I really appreciate that because you like you you brought up very very good points and a lot of kiddos in this area do go the public school route and then when you look in other you know wealthier districts you know you have kids that will choose to go to charter schools or uh all those other options and I think that's another reason why our percentages are higher and um another misconception we have is that um you know
033we're educating our kids poorly because of testing scores. So, you'll find that the the districts that have the high test scores are from these districts that um the majority of their uh students with learning disabilities and all that stuff. They choose to go to charter schools and receive the like very best care that their families can afford. So you are literally just taking kids that are being pumped full of the best of everything and comparing them to kids that might not get breakfast that day or might not have a good sleep. Um the other thing too is that the state like chooses who they give a list of names of kids that they want their test scores to count. So, when you have those bigger districts, you know, like I said, you have all of
034those um kiddos, they're very privileged, and then in our district, they might choose uh 15 kids who have a reading level of a second grader in 11th grade. And that's comparing apples to oranges. Um, so I really encourage you to not look at those testing, you know, scores that are put out uh by people. Um, because historically our district has been one of those districts that we have a lot of hands-on kids that go into plumbing and go into electricity and go into working on cars. And they are smart as hell and they are so good and do so much for our community. But those are not the kids that are going to get the top scores on this assessments. So please consider all those different aspects. Thank you. And Michelle. Yep. Thank you, Jenna.
035That has also been my experience in education. Um and also uh with regard to test score, I I'm glad that you raised just a a point for people to consider when they're looking at the school. um because firsthand I've I've also shared in that experience as an educator too um that the test scores are not only the the only litmus on which we can use in order to look at our our district and see where our strengths and our challenges reside. Um, one thing the question I guess I have and um I if you don't have the information on you um that's fine if you can get back to me is how is the support staff for um like the edte who go in and support students under case management like how are the numbers
036are is there a need for more do you see a need are the students adequately supported at this time so over teachers Over the years, the school board has been very helpful in understanding that we were understaffed for so incredibly long. So over the years, you know, a few positions here and there have been put in. I think right now we are at a good place number-wise. However, we have not been able to find enough people to fill the positions. So Sherry, do we have like five openings? We have four openings and our kids would be better served if we had those filled. Um, but I think you have provided us with an adequate number of edte. We just need people to want to work for our district. Any other questions for Jenna? Roger. Not
037so much a question. I just wanted to to mention the test score thing too and double down on that. Um, I was one of the ones honestly that looked at the test scores and and kind of was upset by that. But then I looked at my own children's test scores and they were well above the state average and I think that has to do with the collaboration between parenting and teaching and and getting a good sleep at night and and eating breakfast in the morning and those sort of things. So that is one of the things that caught my eye but I've since settled down looked into it and again the collaboration between myself my wife and our kids and their teachers is working wonderfully. So we have to look at that when we do
038look at those testing scores. Um, not necessarily a question for you because I don't think it's necessarily your field, but uh, do we keep track of where our juniors and seniors score on SATs? So, SATs are not required uh, anymore. Students can choose to take it if they want to. So, we offer it and they can sign up to take it. Uh, but it's no longer a thing we need. Um, I can tell you, you know, going to UMF, I didn't need it to get into college. There was a time where they really felt you needed SATs to get into college, but that's not the case anymore. Um, one last thing on the testing I urge you all to consider is think back to when you were in high school. If you had to fill
039in any fill in those bubble tests, how much did it really mean to you, right? And that's what our school is getting judged on uh right now. So, just keep that in mind. Thank you, Janet. Chris, I just want to welcome the new board members as well. Uh, and quickly apologize to Ava for not good sound, but good luck on your finals. Um, and because we had new members, I also did resend out the um the reading program evaluation that we did um so people could look that over again. Um, we did end up uh the the committee um after getting feedback after doing school visits, after getting feedback from from staff at the elementary and primary um the committee um unanimously chose the inter readading program from Holton Mifflin um to move forward with.
040So, so now I'm working with a company to work on pricing and things like that. Uh negotiate pricing. Um on the technology side, um because we are a a high receiver school, um we get funds uh for -ate um which back in the day that started to to give schools the ability to have phones and things like that. But then when um better technology came out such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet and things like that, they moved away from the phones. So you can actually not use for phones anymore but for Wi-Fi um and Ethernet and things like that. Um so we have secured um -ate funding for next year and because we are a high receiving school we get 80% paid for. Um, so that means so we're um, for example, getting in um, right
041about $100,000 worth of um, new Wi-Fi to increase our Wi-Fi um, uh, in the in the schools to make sure we don't have dead spots um, and things like that. And then of course the switches that go along with that and we only have to pay 20,000 for all of that. So um, so that's a a great program that we hope continues. questions for Chris. I just wanted to add it's been a pleasure to work with the English language arts committee. Um they certainly put in awesome thought and so many hours considering these programs, all the options that they had and it was a great great experience and and I truly think they made an awesome choice and I expect to see with everybody on board doing the same thing as has been requested of
042everybody. Um it's going to be a really promising program to help lift our kids up in that area. Yeah. Yeah. And I think going to um RSU40, Rumford, uh Mexico uh was great for the staff because they get to go see the programs in action and in a school that is very similar to us um populationwise and things like that. So, so that really helped him as well. Have all the emails and stuff been set up for the new us new board members? Yes. That Okay. And you'll let us know what those are? Yes. I I didn't realize you didn't know him yet. But yeah, I do have Yeah, I can I can What's uh We'll figure out the best way to get them to you. Obviously, if I email that, you're not going to
043get it. Um so, yeah. So, I do have those. I could actually um while we're going, I'll get them on a piece of paper to give to people that are here today. That'd be great. Any other questions for Chris? Thank you, Laura. Well, hello and welcome to the new board members. Um, for the food service department, I'm Laura Merrill. For those of you that might not know me, I'm going to just give you a brief overview of the department and what's going on. Um, the food service department continues to commit to providing healthy, appealing meals to our students. This month has been especially active as we balance daily meal services with special events and endofear planning. There's all kinds of field trips and changes and the schedule that keep us guessing all the time as
044to lunchtime. So that's always challenging for us. Um on May 1st, we did have the honor of catering the senior banquet. I believe there was 89 uh guests there that night. It was a wonderful evening celebrating our graduating class. um the top of the graduating class and we received the department received overwhelm overwhelming positive feedback from not only students uh faculty but parents as well. Um and we had a combination of traditional fa favorite menu items and a few local sprinkles of locally sourced items which was fun. uh our participation this month has remained strong in the our breakfast and our lunch programs. I don't want to bore you all with a bunch of statistics. Um but overall average participation throughout the district is at 52%. Primary for breakfast is 64% 55% at the elementary
04546% of participation for the middle school and 45% participation for the high school. So, I feel um very strongly that those are great for breakfast numbers. We've made some great gains there. Um our lunch participation districtwide is at 67%. Primary school, we serve 70% of the population. Elementary 79%, middle school 71%, and the high school 54%. And I think those um are again doing very well. We're incorporating more scratch cooking um into our program and using um as the season has opened up, our growing seasons, being able to get some more um fresh produce and uh local items in which we're always excited about using those and uh the students seem to be receiving those positively. um for staff and training. You know, the morale seems really strong despite the fact that we have two
046that are retiring. And again, um you know, they're long-termers and we're certainly going to miss them. And we've been so grateful for all the years of dedicated service that they've given to this district, 32 years and 19. And I just wish them all the best as they go into their retirement phase of their life. Um uh in response to these changes, I will be realigning and moving staff into new roles to ensure we continue to operate smoothly and efficiently throughout all of our uh meal sites. Um this transition will provide opportunity for great professional development for some of the staff and uh continue to allow them to grow. Um, you know, cross trainining has been an ongoing thing for the last two months for us and we're really um working to ensure that we can
047have very fluid for all of our staff to be able to move between buildings and that uh saves us many times throughout the school year. Um, I just did a little uh brief thing here on equipment and facilities. Um because of the new turnover in the board, I just kind of want to make sure everybody's up to date. Um you know, I continuously am assessing equipment and faculty needs throughout the district in preparation for the upcoming school year. And we've got some few key things that I just wanted to discuss tonight. We have we do have our primary project in our cafeteria that we're really excited about moving forward um to the redesign there and uh getting that started after the first of the year. Um, so that's really exciting. And in doing that, our
048goal is to create a more functional and inviting dining space for our youngest students to improve our focus on flow, seating, lighting, and just overall atmosphere for those students to support a positive meal time experience for them. And I think we're all going to be very happy when that project gets completed over the summer. Um, and then for uh our other buildings, one of the biggest things that we're looking at doing and are doing is replacing some of our salad bars and just making that just a little more um appealing. Um, updating that equipment and getting those units under some refrigeration, which is going to be really very nice. Um, looking ahead, planning is underway for our summer meal program, um, including outreach and site selection to make sure that students have access. So, I've
049been working on that. And I just want to thank you all for your continuous support for the department. Questions for Laura? Have you already filiring? So no, we have filled one position. Um because we was losing so much experience, we brought one position or one person on. Um we basically will have one full-time position and a a maybe a 30hour position um to to fill um is where we're going to be at. So looking forward to it. Any other questions for Laura? Thank you Laura. Thank you. Robin still with us. Ava, good evening. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, welcome to our new school board members. Um, I recognize that jumping in at the end of the year and taking in all of our board reports probably seems like information overload. So,
050I also will be giving just a brief overview of some of the programs that we're offering in adult ed um and workforce training. Um, understandings this might be the first time you're hearing of these things. So, I attended the Androskagan Valley Council of Government's annual meeting and award ceremony last week. Charlie Woodworth, our local economic and community development director uh with Greater Franklin Development Council, received an award for his tremendous efforts with broadband expansion in greater Franklin County. 96% of homes in our region have the ability to connect to fiber internet if they choose. Our countywide digital literacy initiative was born out of his broadband efforts. And uh Greater Franklin continues to find ways to support um community members to engage in learning how to use internet responsibly, safely, and skill build um with smartphones,
051apps, computers. So I wanted to give you um a few statistics. So far in 2025, from January 1st to April 30th, we have served 312 digital literacy students in 363 classes in over 21 locations throughout the county. For culinary, we run a semesterl long culinary arts workforce training program where students receive a nationally recognized credential, the Serve Safe Kitchen Manager Certificate, and they work alongside a chef and prepare meals in a to-go cafe setting um where they home their skills for both the back of the house and interacting with the public when they come and pick up their meals. Our culinary arts program recently opened their studentrun cafe. Have you guys tried some of these meals? Yeah. Um, every Tuesday and Thursday, Chef Wayne, our apprentice Brian, and our workforce students, um, develop worldly menus.
052Um, and people order ahead of time and then they come pick up the lunches at our office. Um, so next week, our culinary students will be serving dishes at the primary school's international night. Uh, there will be Mediterranean, Italian, and French dishes prepared. So, thank you to Angela Blae. She's a pre-K teacher at the primary school for reaching out to me. We're really looking forward to doing that event. We're accepting applications for our next CNA class that starts June uh June 10th. This is in partnership with Maine Health who have graciously offered a registered nurse as an instructor to our location to teach for the summer. All classroom and lab time will be conducted on site at Adult Ed and clinicals will either be at Main Health Franklin campus or at a nearby long-term care
053facility and there will be no cost to the learners to take this class. um Main Health and with a statewide grant um they've been able to work together. So there'll be no out-of- pocket costs for students. Lastly, we're expecting the largest high school completion graduating class for Spruce Mountain Adult Dead this year. So far, we have 29 adult learners who have finished their high school credential. Uh and a handful more in the pipeline who will earn their credential before June 8th when we'll hold their graduation ceremony directly following the high school graduation ceremony. questions for Robin. I have several clients and clients students that have gone through your program and I will always always support it because I think it's amazing and sometimes it's the only way these kids finish school. So, thank you. Thank
054you, Tanya. I appreciate that. Thank you, Robin. Thank you, Wayne. sense of humor. Uh welcome board members. Um good evening. It's been uh going well with the facilities department. We've had both the softball and baseball fields cut this year and the infield mix spread for the seasons. Uh we added 130 yards of infield mix between the two fields. Um actually in here I don't have it but um we actually had a u first base line we had three feet that had dropped down. It dropped down about three feet with a sinkhole this year. So we had to fill that in. So hopefully that we don't have that problem again next year. Uh the grounds crew is cleaning up around the buildings and have already started mowing. Uh there are a lot of activities this time
055of year between the field trips, concerts, and other events. Uh the custodians have been fantastic keeping up with everything. Uh tonight at the middle school, they're having the band and chorus concert as we speak. And on Monday, they'll be setting we'll be setting up chorus risers on the Griffin Field for the elementary spring concert. Um I have one custodian retiring this year. Uh Neil Tuttle has been with us for almost 10 years. I want to thank him for the hard work and commitment he's put into the high school. Uh he promises to be back to watch a little basketball um instead of cleaning up afterwards. So that'll be nice for him. So um Neil will be missed by many. His last day will be the end of June. So we just have posted the as
056this job is anticipated. Um we currently have two custodians out on medical leave. I've been in contact with our vendors final finalizing prices with them to trying to keep our prices in check. We've had some luck with our WB Mason. Um I've been informed with the savings instead of the dreaded increases. It seems to always be um we buy 98% of our cleaning products with them. So savings is great news for that. Uh while wind uh school is winding down for students, summer are times for us to gear up for the cleaning and maintenance and we can't get that we can't get to during the school year. It should be exciting summer and look forward to getting the schools looking new again. On the flip side, we have a lot of staff that's going to
057be out on vacation. So they we try to have it so uh they're here driving the school buses for us. um getting the kids back and forth to school. So, it's kind of hard in the summertime for me to get the schools clean. So, but we always come through one way or the other. So, I have a good team here. So, that's all I have. Questions for Wayne? Michelle, thank you for your hard uh you and your staff's hard work on the baseball field. My son plays baseball and he goes up early before the season starts and he checks out the field and he combs it and he thought someone took a backhoe to Oh, it was it was it was horrible. He was freaking out and uh he he was panicking and he did
058say recently that it that you guys worked really hard and it looks fantastic. So the students are noticing and they do appreciate it and thank you. So do we. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you Wayne. Thank you, Norma. Hello. Welcome, new board members. Um, returning from vacation. I don't have a whole lot to report. Some of our drivers went to, um, Montlau High School during vacation, took some additional school bus training. They took drug and alcohol awareness for drivers, wheelchair safety, check the vehicle, check your co-workers, it's called um risk identification for pupils and transportation professionals. That's what they did up there for the day. Um we've been super busy busy since spring sports. For example, we had six field trips this week, 15 sports trips which four of them ended up postponed. So
059that doubles up the work when they reschedu those trips. So we can go from 15 trips to 20 when they reschedule everything. And that's all I have right now. Questions for Norma? Andrew, are we still doing the clinic down to Okconor's next week? Sure. Uh May 16th. Yep. Okay. Can you get a hold of me as we travel together? I'll email you the details. I can tell you now. I'll be at the bus garage at 9. Okay. How's that? This bus garage 15 School West Road J. Well, I delivered to two different garage. Okay. The one in J. Any other questions for Norma? Thank you. Thank you. Do we have any committee reports? No. Okay. District referendum results. Okay. District referendum budget results. Uh article one which was the adoption of the budget. Uh town
060of Jay 345 yes. 197 no six blank. Town of Livermore 166 yes. 201 blank. Town of Livermore Falls 189 yes. 176 no, 11 blank for total votes of 700 yes, 574 no, 24 blank. That means article one has passed. Article two was about keeping the referendum question. Uh, Town of Jay, 399 yes, 140 no, nine blanks. Town of Livermore, 230 232 yeses, 132 nos, 10 blanks. In the town of Livermore Falls, 230 yeses, 131 nos, and 15 blanks for a total of 861 yeses, 403 nos, and 34 blanks. Article 2 passed. Article 3 was the bleachers. The town of Jay, 357 yeses, 186 nos, and five blanks. Town of Livermore, 171 yeses, 193 nos, 10 blanks. Town of Livermore Falls, 191 yeses, 171 nos, 14 blanks. Total votes, 719 yeses, 515 nos, 29 blanks. Article
061three has passed. Now the board will need to vote. Have to read that. voted to be adopted by a school board after referendum vote be voted. One, the computation and declaration of votes dated April 29th, 2025 and attached here to be approved. Two, that the computation declarations of votes be entered upon the records of regional school unit number 73. That a certif number three that a certified copy of the computation and declation of votes be sent to each of the municipal clerks within the regional school unit. And four, that their foregoing computations and declutations shall be signed by a majority of the school board and that these signatures may be made electronically by execution of counterparts or in person at the convenience of the members of the school board. A true copy as adopted by
062the majority of the school board attest. That is our motion. Do I have a second? Elaine. Roll call, please. Yes. Sarah. Yes. What was that? Aa was that? Yes. Yes. Ina. Yes. Don, yes. Brian, yes. Yes. Emry, yes. Yes. Um, excuse me. Oh, you forgot Andrew. I tell you why you have to be nice to me, but you wouldn't like it. I vote yes. So there there will be uh documents that everybody will have to sign after the meeting. So don't take off before you before those are signed. Okay. Paid family medical leave private plan. No, you skipped one. 153. Oh, 153. I'm sorry. That's okay. Schoolboard action on J. Livermore. Limo files warrants for assessment of tax assess. You got Yeah, sorry. You guys have your assessments in front of you. It's it's just
063what happens after the votes get voted in and what the assessments go out to the town, but we still have to vote on that. So, I need a a motion to approve. Do I have a second? Excuse me. Where is that? J. Okay, sorry about that. Last page, town of J. Uh motion to approve warrants for assessment of tax and assessment scheduled and notice of in installments of tax. I move that the warrant for assessment of tax and the assessment schedule and notice of installments of tax for such member municipality prepared by the treasurer for fiscal year period 2526 be approved and be issued in form presented in this meeting and that the treasurer be authorized and directed to deliver to each member municipality its warrant for assessment of tax in its assessment schedule and
064notice of installments of tax. Do I have a second? Don Emery. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes. Michelle, yes. Yes. Brian, yes. Tina, yes. Yes. Andrew, yes. Yes. Motion passes. Uh, paid family medical leave private plan. Yes. Before I go into this, I'd like to say I'm still in hopes that legislation will change between now and next May and our legislators will exempt school districts and municipalities from having uh the paid family medical leave plan. However, in the meantime, uh we've had an opportunity. You have the state plan and there are two companies out there at the moment. Guardian is the one I'm recommending and Unum. Um they have been approved by the state as a private plan for us to use. Uh Guardian has experience because they've done it in six other states. Massachusetts
065being one of them. The advantage to us would be this. For next year, it would be $150,000 less than what we'd be paying to the state. Because they're an insurance company, they already have money. So they don't need money up front. When the state put this through, the state hadn't raised any money for this yet. So, they were starting to collect from everybody, businesses, etc. to put a certain amount of money in 1% of what everybody's pay is to build that up and then they wouldn't start paying it out until May of 2026. What this does is by going with this program, we don't have to pay in starting if it's approved tonight until May of 2026. That's about $150,000 savings for the district. Not to mention the savings for any employees who work in
066the district. After that, it's about a3 to $4,000 savings per year. But it's the big savings is that we don't have to put money up front like the state is asking us to put money up front. This would be in place of us paying into the state. Question for Scott. Scott, just to explain further on, you're hoping the legislation that will take teachers out of that or is it school districts? We're hoping it'll take school districts. It exempts school districts and municipalities. It'd be nice if they'd exempt them as well. I know there's a lot of different bills that are going before the legislature with a bunch of different pieces. Whether any of it will go forward, we don't know. And that is because they have contracts that cover this already. Correct. um teachers have
067already and and other people have contracts. Yes, they are. That cover those issues. So that's why we're waiting for the difference on that. Yeah, we're hoping that because I'm not sure everybody understands. Don, oh sorry, you have to ask. You have to go ahead. Uh just for clarification, just in case others might be confused like myself sometimes, can you explain what we used to do? what we did before this all started and where we'll be going if they do exempt this this is brand new brand new legislation saying we have to do this starting this past January we've had to start paying in 1% uh the district pays 60% of the 1% and the staff pays 40% of the 1% of every dollar that they make that is in hopes for them the state to
068hopefully build that money up. So then when May of 2026 comes around, if someone needs to have paid family medical leave time, the state would decide whether or not they need it or not, and then they would pay out. They would get a certain percentage of their pay. This is doing the same thing, but it's a private plan instead. the the state has approved this plan and they've approved Unum as well as another company to do that because I don't think the state really understands what it's going to mean. Uh if anybody's ever done workman's comp, you struggle to do that through them and this is a brand new thing for the state to take on. I think they're smart to say, "Yeah, we'd like to have these private companies take it up." And these
069private companies are smart understanding that here's a chance to take people on. We don't need the money up front because we already have a lot of money. We're an insurance company. So that's the difference that makes. So either way, even if even if um we op or they make it um that the schools or the districts don't have to uh partake, we'll we will make sure that our people are covered. Yeah. If if if we end up being exempt, what happens is we have contracts where there are sick days and contracts, sick banks and contracts, right? That's already taken care of. But this is a state mandate for paid family medical leave. As I said, I'm really hoping some exemptions come about for municipalities and school districts. But I'm not holding my breath. Thanks. Do
070we have Do we have paperwork on this, Scott? I didn't see anything in Not in here. No, sorry. No. Is is that some are you expecting us to to vote on something tonight or is this Yes, we need we need to vote on it because they they're trying to rush they're trying to this main school management needs our answer by May 21st so that they can then establish it so that we'll be in effect at the end of the month of May moving forward. There is another deadline later in July but then we just have to be we'd have to pay in money in between time. This way we don't have to pay anything in starting this month. Okay. So, what you're looking for is for us to approve going with Guardian. Correct. As a
071private plan. Correct. Okay. Does anybody have any questions on this? Roger. Have any employees expressed? Um, we've talked to the we we have to meet and consult. So, we met and consult with all the groups and they like the fact that they don't have to pay any money in between now and and next May either. So, solid point, not a great question. Thanks. Okay. Could I get a motion? Another question. Oh, I'm sorry, Tina. Is the rate the same either way? Actually, the rate for that's why we'd save three to $4,000 every year afterwards. Right now, the state is charging you 1%. it'll be n8% which is two 100s. So that's why I said if it it would save us three to $4,000 in the second and third year and it's a three-year just like
072the state they give you a three-year rate and after three years they can change it and the same with this group they can go threeear rate and they've already said that they would stay with what in the range that the state would go in as well. Thank you. Any other questions regarding this with Scott? Okay. Could I get a motion on approving uh the family private plan for guardian Michelle? Second. Elaine Michelle Moffett. Seconded by Ela. All All those in favor? All those opposed. Oh, okay. Uh motion passes. Uh calendar. Again, I don't have that in my packet. So, they don't have the calendar in their packet. I don't. Okay. Well, here it is. So, is this this is this is a draft calendar. Um, one of the things we have to do with our
073calendar is we have to be uh pretty much in alignment with RSU9 because of the foster tech. We are allowed five dissimilar days from their calendar from our calendar. Um, at the moment this calendar uh has no dissimilar days with Foster Tech, meaning we're exactly aligned with Foster Tech. We do have one day that is off from the RSU9 as a whole. And one of the reasons is because they have one less workshop day than we do. And they will start their uh school uh K through 9 on the 27th where we will have a teachers workshop day, but they start 10 through 12 on the 28th, which is what we will start our school year with. And that aligns exactly with Foster Tech. Questions for Scott? regarding the calendar. Okay. Can I get a
074a motion to approve uh the calendar as presented in draft form? Daniel, can I get a second? Ollie, all those in favor? All those opposed? It's unanimous. Okay, the schoolboard schedule just uh is on the second page there of the calendar. Um, keep that for your calendars. And uh All right. Um, can I get a motion to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to 1 MRSA 4056A? Can I get a second? Roger. Elaine and Roger. All those in favor. All those opposed. We're going to ask to ask the audience members if they would step out because we have Ava on Zoom. Laura, we're back in session at 7:34. Okay. Um, could I get an a motion to [Music] approve to approve the contract renewal for Dassi Shink for 2526? Dawn discussion.
075We need to we need to finish the vote. We need to finish you can we need to finish the vote on this one. Yeah, we got a vote on on Darcy first. Any discussion on Darcy Shankout? Don Stout Elaine. Okay. discussion. Seeing none, uh, all those in Well, let's do a roll call. Darcy, correct? Jess Darcy. Yes. Sarah, yes. Yes, Michelle. Yes, Roger. Yes, Jerry. Yes, Brian. Yes, Tina. Yes. Yes. Andrew, yes. Motion carries. to make a motion to approve the renewal of the administrator's contracts for fiscal year 2026 and 2027. Do I have a second? Tina discussion. Uh we had discussed possibly tableabling those till the next meeting. Um someone tried to make a motion of that already. I guess I'm I'm just hoping that we we need to we need to vote uh
076vote on the motion that's on the floor. Um if it fails then we can look at that. I I Madam Chair um I make that motion just because um I I have um I truly believe in these administrators and uh I believe that I would like to make sure that they know that we want to keep them here because like we discussed um replacing them would be a hard hard job. So I I would love to give them that vote of confidence that we uh we believe in them. I believe um Scott said that they're already approved for the 26 27. No, they're approved for the 2526. 256. Oh, okay. I misunderstood. Thank you. Any other comments? Any other questions? No. Okay. Roll call. Can I just make sure that we areing 26 27 correct
077yes no yes Michelle yes No yes no yes no motion passes okay we're going to go back into executive session to go into please. Executive session for a personnel matter pursuant to one MRSA a 4056A. Uh can I get all in favor? All opposed. Could you could you make Did I get a second? Any discussion? Roll call, please. And this is just for correct. Yes. We're voting for those two. Yep. 1614 and 1615. Yes. Yes. Sarah. Yes. Michelle. Yes. Roger. Yes. Brian. Yes. Yes. Yes. Andrew. Yes. Yes. Motion passes. I move to approve the contract for Darren Allen. Do I get a second? Seconded by Tanya. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. Emry, yes. Sarah, yes. Michelle, yes. Roger. Yes. Brian, yes. Tina, yes. Yes. Andrew, yes. Yes. That was just just Darren. Yes. I
078have a motion on uh pro probationary contract for Libby Ames. Zipier zipper Elaine. I'd like to um move that we uh have action on the second year probationary contract 202526 for Libby Ames zipper. Do I have a second? Michelle, any discussion? Roll call, please. Andrew, yes. Yes. Roger. Yes. Yes. Sarah, yes. Yes. Can I get a motion on the contract for Charlene Churchill? So moved. Seconded by Roger. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Daniel, yes. Yes. Michelle, yes. Yes. Brian, yes. Yes. Andrew, yes. Make a motion to uh vote on the contract for Karen Compton. Second. Seconded by Tina. Yes. Discussion. Roll call, please. Yes. Roger. Yes. Michelle, yes. Sarah, yes. Yes. Can I get a motion uh regarding Tina Corovo? Tina and seconded by Tanya. Discuss. Tina. Tina. Tina and Tanya. Discussion. Roll call, please.
079Yes. [Laughter] My name's Emmy. She said Emory. My name's Emry. My name's Emry. What? Huh? Yes. Yes. Andrew. Yes. Can I get a vote? Sherry, did you Oh, I did vote. Yes. Oh, sorry. There was kind of a chuckle in there with it. So, sorry about that. Um, can I get a motion regarding Jasmine Dort? Second. discussion. Seeing none, roll call, please. Yes. No. No no Andrew. Yes. Motion passes. Um, can I get a motion regarding Courtney Dumont? So move. Second, Tina and Tanya. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. Yes. Roger. Yes. Brian. Yes. Yes. Can I get a motion regarding Hattie Dunton? Second. Second. No, it's okay. The team's going have it going. Sorry. Any discussion, please? Seeing none, roll call, please. Yes. What? No. Oh, sorry. She says, She said I thought that
080said no. I thought she said no also. Sorry. She said yes. I heard yes. Yes. Sorry. Yes. Yes. Sorry, we're getting a little punchy here. Can I get a a motion regarding Shane Edwards? Go ahead. Second, Tina and Elaine. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes. [Music] Roger. Yes. Yes. And yes. Can I get a motion regarding Aaron Hatchee? So move. Can I get a second? Second. Dawn Stout. Discussion. Roll call, please. Yes. Roger. Yes. Brian, yes. Yes. Could I get a motion regarding Emma Hixon? So moved. Second. Tanya Tina. Yeah. The discussion. Tina Turner. Yeah. Roll call, please. Yes. Roger. Yes. Brian. Yes. Andrew. Yes. Yes. Hixon. Emma Hixon. Yes. Can I get a motion regarding Rayley Moore? So move. Second, Tina and Don Stout. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Andrew. Yes. Yes. Yes. Motion
081passes. Uh, can I get a motion regarding Alexis Norris? Move to approve. Second. Any discussion? Roll call. Yes. Roger. Yes. Could I get a motion regarding Lydia Violet Lee? So move. Second by Elaine. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Andrew, yes. Yes. Could I get a motion regarding an Schwab? So moved. Andrew and and seconded by Tina. Any discussion? Roll call, please. No. Yes. Sarah. Yes. Yes. Michelle. Yes. Roger. No. Yes. No. Motion is approved. Uh, can I get a vote? I don't believe I was called. Oh, Andrew didn't vote again. I'm getting my birthday wish. I don't have to make a decision. Yes. still approved. Uh, can I get a motion regarding Joseph Toner? Second. No, you just Tanya and Tina. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes. Yes, Yes. And finally, could I get a
082motion to approve the continuing contracts for 16.34 through 16.45? Move to approve. Second, Tina and Don. Emory. Emory. Yep. We're just Any any discussion, please? Hearing none. Roll call, please. I'm almost done. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And that's motion carried. Okay. So for calendar, uh our next meeting is the 22nd and it will be at the middle school and not the high school. It does say Yeah, it does say high school, but Oh, yeah. I know. I'm miss I'm missing my niece's concert tonight. But anyway, sorry about that. So, with seeing uh nothing else, I'll ask for a motion. Oh, go ahead. Question. Sure. Um on that night, there's a finance meeting at 5:30. Do you want the existing finance committee to show up or will you be doing appointments to committees? Oh, thank you.
083Between now and then. Well, no. It's just that I if I need to be there 5:30, I will be. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't have to. Let her know. I appreciate you you asking that well in advance. Can I can I get a list of current appointments? Don. Yeah, we've got it. Laura's got it. Laura, can you send that to me? And if you guys would all uh send me what you're interested in for um for committees, I'll get everything set up. Um, I know there's a supposed to be a policy meeting on policy meeting on Monday. I think we're going to hold off on that um until I get all the committees set up. Okay. So, um I will email you as soon as I We got to wrap it up because m uh
084Ava has to get to work. Thank you, Ava. No, we're done. Ava, thank you. Thank you, Ava. Can I get a motion to adjourn, please? She just made it. She raised. Oh, okay. Second. All in favor? I I thank you everybody.