At the May 10 regular School Committee meeting, Superintendent Heather Perry outlined the steps she is taking to inform the public about the FY18 budget that will go to voters on June 13, after Town Council approval on June 6. She is hosting informational meetings, posting a blog, and is developing a series of videos for the District website. She congratulated Gorham High School which was just named one of the top ten high schools in Maine by US News & World Report.
Diane Knott, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, presented an overview of the Student Advancement in Learning (SAIL) program that offers learning opportunities for the 3-5% of K-12 students identified as gifted in academic, visual and performing arts. Students have learning opportunities beyond the classroom that include participating in challenging group activities, as well as special instruction based on interest and need.
Knott stressed as strengths of the program the ability to monitor data for student growth and the increased participation in competitive club activities such as Robotics and Odyssey of the Mind. Increasing district enrollment, she said, presents a challenge in staffing and data maintenance to meet the 3-5% student participation desired and required by state law.
GHS principal Brian Jandreau reported on the two-day Business Tour where 18 high school teachers visited four local companies to observe the skills students would need to be successful in industrial workplaces like Pratt-Whitney, Lanco Integrated, Idexx, and Texas Instruments. Four teachers shared their impressions which included the importance of innovative thinking and the ability to work collectively. SC members commented on the importance of building relationships that help students envision themselves in these kinds of work environments.
The Committee received brief reports on the progress being made by four important Ad Hoc committees. Committees are studying K-5 class configuration, the GHS Facilities Capital Campaign, possible changes in start times and lengths of school days, and strategic planning. These committees will continue to provide progress updates.
The Committee approved (5-0, Phillips, Burns absent) the appointment of Ryan Watts to be GHS Assistant Principal and Phillis Worthley and Trisha Cherry as guidance counselors to replace Watts and a vacant position. SC members praised the hiring of Cherry because she has financial aid counseling experience. They also approved contracts for probationary teachers.
Superintendent Perry requested approval to hire a coach for 9th grade boys lacrosse this spring. The SC voted 4-1 to approve the position. Dennis Libby voted no because the position was not in this year’s budget and he believed the district should not add a sport out of the budget cycle. The position has been approved for next year.
The SC voted (4-1 Libby) to approve changes to the district’s grading and reporting practices. The plan involves moving gradually from the current 100 point scale to a 1-4 PBL scale based on a definition of proficiency. Although Libby approved of all other aspects of the new PBL grading scale, he objected to the process of implementation.
Committee members voted (5-0) to postpone a decision on how to allocate any funds from state subsidy that are more than what the district had expected and included in the FY18 budget.