On September 9, the masked School Committee (SC) held its regular meeting in person at Gorham High School (GHS). Covid-19 has created a unique start to the school year. In the time for public comment, Peter Shaw asked the SC for assurance that parents would be notified any time a case of Covid in the schools occurred. Student representative Zak Lembarra reported that GHS students were glad to be back. Although they may be socially distancing, they will be working creatively together. We are “separated but not divided,” he said.

Superintendent Heather Perry reported that so far reductions in the state budget have not affected the state education subsidies. She also said they have applied for a grant for the Recreation Department’s child care program, but Gorham may not qualify because funding is based on the percent of students eligible for free lunch. Most district positions are filled, although there is still a need for several more ed techs and playground duty monitors. She also gave assurance that Covid numbers will be updated daily.

All SC members thanked employees of the School Department and the Town of Gorham for all they did to make a successful school opening possible. They also thanked the community for contributions of supplies and for helping prepare space for outside classrooms. Phil Gagnon encouraged people to attend the upcoming Founders Festival. Bill Benson thanked everyone who worked on the bond issue referendum for capital improvements that will be on the November 3 ballot.

All five building principals reported on the preparation that was done before opening their schools. They thanked the maintenance staff, including bus drivers, for their efforts to make the physical spaces ready. They thanked the SC for the extra week that enabled teachers to be comfortable with the new spaces and new teaching challenges. They all reported on a successful first day(s) of school. Students, who cooperated in wearing masks and maintaining six-foot distances, were happy to be back with their teachers and friends. Elementary teachers were pleased with the smaller classes. Everyone said that building relationships and establishing new routines were the primary goals for the beginning of the school year.

In each school there are between 10-13% of students enrolled in the Remote Learning Program. An experienced teacher oversees the program in every school and will make weekly contact with students and families. Students can attend a weekly virtual morning meeting with the A and B members of their class.

Norm Justice, director of facilities and transportation, gave a slide presentation illustrating the work done during the summer, both scheduled projects and those made necessary by the pandemic. His staff created new storage spaces for PPE supplies. They moved furniture to make six-foot spacing possible, putting some in on-site trailers. They reconfigured space for the office, teachers, and nurses at Narragansett School and worked to finish the modular units for occupancy. He said that the new Narragansett kitchen should be completed by mid-October.

Athletic Director Tim Spear gave an update on athletic programs. The Maine Principals Association and the other relevant governmental agencies had not yet made decisions about which sports would be approved for inter-school competition. Spear outlined the categories of risk for each sport, with football and volleyball judged to have the highest risk. This school year, 277 GHS students have signed up for athletic programs and Spear summarized the precautions that are in place to keep them and their coaches safe. This includes daily screening and mask wearing except when engaging in vigorous activity. He emphasized that students will be expected to be personally responsible for good hygiene and safe distancing off the field. Due to Governor Mills’ regulations that limit gatherings to 50 inside and 100 outside, there will be no spectators at games, but a media company will offer live streaming by subscription.

The School Committee voted (7-0) to approve nominations for coaching positions and for two teaching positions. They unanimously approved the Superintendent’s 2020-21 Goals, the FY22 Budget Timeline, and the 2020-21 SC Meeting Schedule. They approved changes in the the policy for Life-Saving Medical Devices and Treatment and for the Management of Concussions.