The Gorham School District transportation policy was again the subject of a public comment at the October 10 School Committee (SC) meeting. Magda Alden urged the committee to consider problems the policy creates for families with two working parents. The Policy Committee will review the policy at its November meeting. SC member Bill Benson urged parents and administrators to discuss problems with the current policy before the meeting as any changes can not be based on individual situations.
Superintendent Heather Perry announced that GHS juniors will be participating in college visits in Maine and New Hampshire on October 16. She also said that the Aspire Gorham initiative which focuses on reducing barriers for students as they move from early childhood, K-12, and then post secondary learning is up and running. They are talking with USM to increase dual enrollment and with the Business Roundtable about increasing opportunities for work experience.
Speaking for the School Committee, Darryl Wright thanked Denis Libby for his 13 years of service on the committee, praising him as a member and mentor. Libby is not running for reelection. Wright, who is running, was thanked by Stewart McCallister for his seven years on the committee. Libby spoke briefly and said that he had seen great changes in his years on the committee, but his decisions had always been made based on what he believed was best for students and the community.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Record introduced the World Languages Program review, outlining the benefits of learning a second language and its cultural context. Gorham students have opportunities for language classes in the middle and high schools. Three GHS students spoke about their experiences. Caroline Dowdle is in her fourth year of Spanish and Ben Nault is a fourth year French student. Both emphasized that by taking the fourth year of a language they are becoming much more fluent. Ethan Allen said that taking Mandarin is rewarding, although very difficult.
When reporting on the Vocational Education Committee, Benson said that he hoped students would be interested in learning about the new PATH cyber security certificate program. In other sub-committee reports, the Policy Committee reported that any changes in the graduation policy will be made after learning what changes are coming from Augusta, and the GHS Building Committee is still reviewing options with the architects.
The SC voted unanimously to adopt the revised Wellness Policy and the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Policy.