Newly elected members Sara Perkins, Nicole Hudson, and James Brockman introduced themselves at the November 12 regular meeting of the School Committee (SC). Darryl Wright was elected chair and Anne Schools vice chair. Wright thanked the outgoing chair, Stewart McCallister, for his leadership in a difficult year.
During the public comment time, Kelli Deveaux, accompanied by her son who belongs to a Civil Rights team at his school, spoke in favor of the anti-racism policy being developed by the SC for consideration at the December meeting.
Student representative Zac Lembarra promoted the radio play performed by Gorham High School (GHS) students on Zoom.
Superintendent Heather Perry reported that enrollment has been affected by COVID-19. There are 57 fewer students than last year with 21 known to have transferred to private schools. Projected increase in enrollment was off by 97. There are 23 fewer kindergarten students than expected. Lunches are down from last year, but bag lunches are available for pick-up as well as in school. She announced that about 40 students are returning from virtual learning to the current hybrid schedule. The current COVID-19 funding expires on December 31, Perry said, and the district is considering how to retain needed staff if there are no additional funds.
Perry announced the Narragansett kitchen construction is finished and will be in operation before the end of the year. Bag lunches are being delivered to the school from Gorham Middle School.
SC members thanked the 70 percent of voters who supported the bond issue referendum that will fund necessary maintenance projects as well as the next phase of the Narragansett modular addition. Wright read a message from Suzanne Phillips, outgoing chair of the Town Council, who thanked the SC for its cooperation with the council. There was a special thanks to bus drivers who have been delivering lunches, which will be free to the end of the school year.
Eliza Kenigsberg, who directs Aspire Gorham, gave a presentation of the program. She talked about the GHS student opportunities for workplace learning, which includes internships, job shadowing, and working with mentors to help students plan for the future. The program, in its second year, has developed relationships with the University of Southern Maine and local businesses which resulted in many small group conversations and dozens of job shadowing sessions with mentors.
Kenigsberg introduced two GHS seniors and their mentors who explained how they have benefited from internships. Devon Harrington, an intern with Great Falls Construction and JCS Property Management talked about her long term interest in the field and what she learned from the experience. Becky Parker and Lindsay Nason, her mentors, expressed their enthusiasm for the program and for Harrington’s work with their companies. Gracie Forgue is interning with Gorham Public Works. Her interest in biology led her to an internship with Matt LaCroix, who manages storm water for Gorham. Her experience working with him in stream assessment and beach profiling, helped her decide to pursue marine and environmental science in college. LaCroix praised the Aspire program for matching him with a student who shares his enthusiasm for his work.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Record reported on the results of the Thought Exchange that asked students, teachers, and parents to share their thoughts, opinions, and ideas about the educational experience during COVID-19. Participants could add to a discussion which, Record said, “allowed people to see more than one side of an issue.”
The opportunity drew 1,511 people who shared 1,718 “thoughts.” Although the masses of data is organized online for anyone to access, Record discussed some findings and themes. Student thoughts on hybrid learning included appreciating mask breaks and being able to participate in sports and extra-curricular activities. They definitely appreciate having flexible Fridays. Some reoccurring themes were concerns about online work; Zoom days were hard, however, students felt they were getting a full work load in the hybrid system.
Appreciation for the work of the district staff was paramount in the “thoughts” of parents, but they want their students to have more time in school. They were concerned about what was expected of students on Fridays and also felt a need to be more involved in home learning days. Staff members appreciated the smaller class sizes and thought flexible Fridays were essential.
In conclusion, Record said there are concerns about communication and technology, as well as social and emotional stress, but what stood out too was “appreciation and good will.” Links to Thought Exchange summaries and data can be accessed from Superintendent Perry’s blog page, gorhamsuperintendent.blogspot.com.
Wright announced the Finance Committee approved purchasing two tractors. The facilities committee is discussing future expansion of Gorham Middle School. New committee assignments have been made.
The SC approved the policy on committee officers, revisions to the school calendar, and stipends for teachers facilitating extracurricular activities. The revised calendar and reasons for the changes are available from a link on the superintendent’s blog page.