At the April 10 regular meeting, the School Committee (SC) welcomed the youngest Gorham students who joined their teachers in a presentation on the district’s Pre-K program. Started this year at Narragansett Elementary School, the program provides 60 Gorham 4 year-olds with a half-day “purposable play curriculum.” Several students spoke about their activities and others narrated a colorful slide show. There are already 77 applicants for 64 fall openings.

The Great Falls Civil Rights Team spoke about their program and projects. Seven 5th grade students who represented the team’s 18 members told about a winter story walk for younger students and of helping improve quality of life for students with disabilities. The team meets twice a month to discuss current events and plan ways of making all students feel included at Narragansett.

Superintendent Heather Perry made clear that Public Works would have cleared school sidewalks if asked and concern about that had not figured into the decision to close school after the last snowstorm. She reported that some changes coming from Department of Education were still unknown, such as proposed increase in support staff hourly rates and final decisions on the Child Support Services (CDS) decision to transfer responsibility for providing special services for 3 and 4 year olds to school districts.

The Finance Committee reported that they will be working with an architect to prepare an application for state funds for district buildings. The Teaching & Learning Committee is preparing a draft for AI guidelines. The Alternative Education Vision Committee is working on a new vision statement.

The School Committee voted 6-0 (Schools absent) to approve the proposed $53,475,801 FY 25 School Budget. Prior to the vote, Mia DeSanctis proposed a amendment to retain a Great Falls teaching position that had been removed from the budget. The amendment passed (4-0 McCallister, Perkins) and $95,000 was added to the budget. The approved budget will go to the Town Council after a joint workshop on April 23.

In a separate vote required by the state, the SC voted to request local tax monies to fully fund the budget. The also voted to spend money that would be reimbursed by the state for special education services for 3 and 4 year olds, if the state requires the district take on that responsibility.

The SC voted to revise four district policies and held first readings of eight more. To read all policies passed by the School Committee, click here.