At the January regular meeting of the School Committee (SC), Zak Lembarra, Gorham High School (GHS) representative, reported on upcoming events including Poetry Out Loud, the band/chorus concert, midterms, and the District I Music Festival.
Superintendent Heather Perry introduced GHS Principal Brian Jandreau and members of the GHS EcoClub which now has nearly 170 members. Rachael Grady, advisor, and students Nica Steiner, Madisen Sweatt, Lembarra, Olivia Duong, and Jake Lesser all spoke about their passion for the environment and upcoming events to raise awareness about climate change.
The group is sponsoring the SEA Summit (Save the Earth and Animals) on May 12 at USM. The club is also planning to add a pollinator garden at GHS, and making the GHS cafeteria more eco-friendly by adding composting bins and eliminating wasteful practices. The group continues to offer outreach to the youth and the community.
Perry provided an update on the state assessments, and confirmed that while there were errors with the charts on the reports, the scores/data were accurate. Corrected reports will not be re-sent to parents but can be printed by request through the Superintendent’s office.
Narragansett School modular leases have been finalized. Perry clarified that a lease option was chosen over bonding because the district had the ability to access Maine Dept. of Education funds that will reimburse at $8/sq. ft. for five years (totaling $500,000) which were not available through a bonding process.
She confirmed that February 29 will be a full-day budget workshop. Perry said GSEA (Greater Sebago Education Alliance), which Gorham is a part of, is working on a draft budget and the annual substitute job fair, but the major goal of the group is to work on professional development.
Kate Livingston encouraged people to read the Asst. Superintendent’s Report by Dr. Chris Record which details the action plan that was created for dealing with opioid misuse in our community.
Stewart McCallister thanked Gorham Middle School (GMS) and Technology Integrator Terri Dawson for facilitating a tour of the school so he could learn more about the ways teachers are using technology in their classrooms.
Record presented an annual review of assessment and title grant information. Gorham’s assessment data is available but comparison data with other schools will not be made public until late January. Information is used to help assess what students know so teachers can adapt their instruction accordingly. Title funds help fund teachers in K-5 literacy and math labs, help with professional development, and help improve students’ academic achievement by increasing capacity of schools and providing access. Record also spoke about the district’s goals.
Darryl Wright asked if there was a way to determine if a correlation exists between extra support and improved scores/performance. Bill Benson asked if the data would be analyzed so that the teaching approach might be altered to influence scores. Benson also asked about the reduction in AP tests taken as well as the reduction in those who passed the tests with scores over 3. Record confirmed that discussions on all of the mentioned issues would continue.
Benson commended the district on “exposing students to alternative pathways” by participating in events such as the Portland Chamber of Commerce breakfast which highlighted workforce development and community colleges.
A motion was passed to approve three policies (Homework Policy, Non Discrimination and Affirmative Action, Student Discrimination and Harassment). Several new policies were reviewed before the meeting was adjourned.