At the last regular School Committee (SC) meeting, Superintendent Heather Perry and SC members thanked Gorham voters for passing both the FY20 school budget and the bond referendum for modular classrooms at Narragansett Elementary School.
Perry announced that changes in school times in effect on the first day of school in August will be posted on the district website. She, and the other SC members, congratulated the 2019 Gorham High School graduates. Chairman Darryl Wright gave a special thanks to Deb Stirling, GHS administrative assistant, for her work to make the graduation such a successful event and to the students for their exemplary behavior at the Project Grad activities. Kate Livingston also thanked bus drivers for their service during the school year.
Stewart McCallister praised GHS students for volunteering a total of 9,995 hours this year. One student, Grace Pierce, was honored by Luci Bowers who directs the Barbara Bush Literacy Program at GHS. Pierce is one of the program’s “Team Trendsetters” who work with students at Village School. She gave up one study hall a week to tutor a student in reading, as well as helping Bowers with clerical duties.
During the public comment time, the committee heard from Barbara Nichols who has experience in school nutrition. She questioned how the district handles school meal bad debt. She requested a clarification of the policy about whether or not debts are wiped clean at the end of the year or carried over to the next school year. In response to a question about the policy from Bill Benson, Wright said that new state guidelines are expected soon so the district will be reviewing its own policy and procedures at that time.
Benson announced that there are still opportunities for students to participate in programs at Portland Arts and Technology High (PATH) and at the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center (WRVC) next school year, but that time is short for applying.
Wright reported that the GHS Building Committee has not met because they are waiting for some additional estimates from the architects.
The SC voted unanimously to approve appointment of the following new personnel: Rosemarie Lawrence, GMS music; Sarah Heald, Grade 4/5 Narragansett; Colin Loveless, GHS Health/PE; Rebecca Thibeault, Grade 5 Village; Melissa Bryant, Grade 1 Great Falls; Marie Whitney, Grade 3 Great Falls; and Stephanie Ramonas, GHS special education. They also approved coaching personal for the fall athletic season.