At the first School Committee (SC) meeting of the new school year, the five district principals reported on the opening days of their schools, Norm Justice summarized work done on the school buildings over the summer, and Superintendent Heather Perry reported that the enrollment was 2,814 on opening day.
Perry praised the work of the central office staff in facilitating a smooth opening. She also emphasized the need for more bus and van drivers, which has made finalizing bus routes a challenge. She said the district has made sure all buildings are secure.
Ava Pitman introduced Zaharia Lembarra, a GHS junior, who joins her as a student representative to the School Committee. SC members complimented the district staff on the successful start of the school year. Jennifer Whitehead particularly thanked GHS staff for its efforts in the world language program.
Cynthia Remick, Narragansett principal, joined Becky Fortier from Great Falls and Brian Porter from Village School in reporting on successful opening days, parent and student orientation events, and ways their schools welcomed new students. They each emphasized a focus on creating classroom communities.They expressed concern that the time needed to get students off buses in the morning and the time needed for students to board busses at the end of the day is causing some problems, but they all praised the district’s maintenance crew for making their schools ready for those students.
Quinton Donahue, the new Gorham Middle School principal, described activities over the summer by teachers and administrators to prepare for the school year. He described a new program, “Start With Hello,” that is designed to combat student feelings of isolation. He announced that because Heather Whitaker, GMS alternative education teacher, is a finalist for Teacher of the Year, representatives from the Department of Education will be making a site visit soon.
GHS principal Brian Jandreau spoke about a cooperative program with the University of Southern Maine (USM) that will enable Gorham students to earn as many as 25 college credits before graduation. A new EcoClub has attracted 87 students interested in environmental issues. He announced that the Maine Supreme Court will hear three cases at GHS on October 8, an opportunity for students to see the court in action.
Norm Justice, Director of Facilities and Transportation, gave a presentation about the summer work, which included retrofitting a number of spaces into classrooms to accommodate increasing enrollment. He also discussed rebuilding a bathroom at Narragansett and the progress in preparing the modular classroom site. Security fencing has been erected at GHS and all the district’s stage curtains have new fireproof coating, a state requirement.
Justice also emphasized the shortage of bus drivers and the impact it has on bus schedules. There are openings for two full-time drivers and a substitute driver.
During committee reporting, Bill Benson again encouraged parents and students to consider the vocational education programs that have unfilled spaces. He also reported on the GHS Building Committee and emphasized that while several options have been considered, the committee has made no recommendations.
The SC approved a new security secretary position at GHS. The secretary will be stationed at the entrance off the parking lot and will monitor use of those doors, directing visitors down the hall to the central office.
In regular business, the SC voted unanimously to accept the superintendent’s 2019-2020 goals, the FY21 budget development timetable, and the 2019-20 meeting schedule. The committee unanimously approved three additional coaching positions and stipends for teachers who serve as athletic coaches. It also approved the contract with Maine Intercultural Communications Consultants and approved the Ed Tech Reauthorization Chair.