The Gorham School Committee held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 9. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Anne Schools.
There was a presentation from Kirsten Mroczkowski, the Alternative Education Ed. Tech/ Communication Liaison at Village School and four students representing the Village Times, the school’s digital newspaper.
Fifth grader, Kent, fourth grader Ben and fifth grader Josephine each spoke about the newspaper and how it has positively impacted them. Each one discussed new learning opportunities including writing, operation of the camera and the ability to ask good interview questions.
An alum of the program, Jade expressed her surprise discovering that a digital program did not exist at the middle school and described her successful efforts of finding advisors and implementing a digital newspaper at Gorham Middle School (GMS).
Superintendent Heather Perry presented the COVID numbers that impacted the Gorham Schools during the month of January. There was a dramatic spike in January in Gorham, as well as the rest of Maine, as 920 student absences and 99 staff absences were attributed to COVID during the month.
This led to difficulties in class coverage, and the additional early release days for teacher planning were appreciated by the staff.
Each formal subcommittee and ad hoc committee reported on their recent meetings and the priorities that they are working on at this time. Some of the committees had recommendations for consideration during the meeting.
There was a proposal to accept the bid from the J & J company to fix the heat pumps at GMS. This was accepted by a 7-0 vote, and the work will begin as soon as possible. This is a familiar company to the school system and they are very comfortable accepting this proposal.
In addition, a bid was accepted from Robert F. Ward and Company to replace the Gorham High School (GHS) bleachers. (7-0). School Committee members expressed relief that these areas of concern were going to be addressed in the near future.
There was a long discussion about the possible addition of early release days in March. Superintendent Perry recommended adding two days, March 9 and March 23, to help provide planning time for teachers.
She is hopeful that by the end of March, substitute coverage will be at the recommended 80% level and that the stress on the buildings and staff will be eased. She has received mostly positive feedback from parents, although it is clear that early notice of these days is greatly appreciated.
There was lively discussion involving the entire School Committee, including the two student representatives, and the addition of two early release days was approved. (5-2, Perkins, Gagnon)
By a 7-0 vote, two Schedule B vacancies were filled. Tracy Williamson was approved for GHS Steel Band, and Allie Stanley was approved for Great Falls Civil Rights Team Advisor.
The School Committee also continued their annual policy reviews by conducting the first readings of seven policies. There were some changes required by state law and also by timely review. These policies will be studied by the entire committee, and changes will be reviewed at future meetings.