The highlights of the December 9 regular School Committee (SC) meeting were Zoom delivered reports from Gorham High School theater students and student athletes. They described how the fall play cast and crew, and the fall sports teams coped with Covid-19 restrictions.
Sierra Cummings spoke for students who participated in the radio style production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” She said, “The arts can survive everything.” Andrew Goschke and Mason Hawkes agreed that adapting to the Zoom format made the experience even more meaningful.
Ted Spear, Director of Athletics, said that 60 students were attending the SC meeting remotely and that this fall there were 300 student athletes, just short of last year’s participants.
Molly Murray, speaking for the field hockey team, thanked the coaches and said the highlight of their 6-4 season was beating Windham in the final game. Beck Carrier also said that the football team’s best game was against Windham and that the team benefited from coming together to adapt to the modified rules. Speaking for the girls cross country team, Emily Paruk said that the team was made stronger by the challenges this fall. Running together “made life more normal. It gave us a purpose to leave home and build friendships.”
Josh Lehmann reported that the boys cross country team was undefeated, but really missed not having spectators. Aidan Enok said that the golf team was sorry that the three day state competition was shortened this year to one day. The volleyball team, Shannon Lawrence reported, did not have a competitive season but gained new players. “The team is a family,” she said.
The girls soccer team felt beating Bonny Eagle and Scarborough “made it more than just a sport for us,” Lauren Fotter said.
The boys soccer team was undefeated this fall. Matthew Phinney in summing up the season said, “The year was fun and I am thankful we had a season.” School committee members thanked the students for representing Gorham so well. Chairman Darryl Wright commended them on their presentations and for learning how to do things differently.
Superintendent Heather Perry announced that state revenue is $147 million short this fall, but this will not affect the school department’s FY21 budget, although it may for FY22. She reported that except for the elementary schools there was not significant reduction in attendance from last year. SC member Phil Gagon asked for attendance records for both virtual and in-person learning. Wright said he would work with Perry on getting these figures. Perry submitted a copy of her goals with action steps in progress. The superintendent’s goals are available on the Gorham School Department website.
Speaking for the finance committee, Wright said that bonds for the Phase 3 Narragansett modular project will be issued in the spring. At a later December workshop, the SC received a breakdown of project costs.
Anne Schools presented the Anti-Racism Policy for a final vote. She had received few requests for changes from the first reading. Those made clear that some provisions of the policy were already being implemented. The SC voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt the policy, which is available on the School Department website.
The SC also voted 7-0 to approve extra-curricular activity stipends and to retain the superintendent’s contract through the school year. This is only a state-required formality since the contract is negotiated in September.