School Board Meeting - March 23, 2009

My overall impression of the meeting - and of those in attendance (Board members and others as well) was how pleasant it was for the most part. While not all Board members were present, all of Eddington's Board members were there. Karen Clark seems to be the leader from the Eddington reps, but Therese Anderson received many kudoes for her help with Eddington School's recent production of "Magical Land of Oz." Pam Dorr is very friendly but didn't seem to have much to say. Maybe it just wasn't her night as far as agenda issues were concerned.

Various school principals were there and offered information or comments as agenda subjects came up or as Board Chair, Don Varnum, or Interim Superintendant, Raymond Hart, requested. All of the principals appeared to be at ease with the Board and each other.

Both Mr. Varnum and Mr. Hart complimented the "Oz" production and particular mention was made of the two lead students' capabilities.

The state of the current school budget was discussed. Currently a budget freeze is in place although exceptions can be made for critical items relating to health and safety. The school budget committee meeting was moved to Thursday, March 26. Mr. Hart stated he had been to Augusta where school allocations from the state had (apparently) been a topic without resolution. It seems the state is leaving that up in the air pending receipt of federal money via the stimulus package. But to even be a recipient for the stimulus money, the state must complete some kind of a stabilization plan - is essence, produce a plan showing how the state is going to use the stimulus money to stabilize existing programs so as to remedy specified problems/improve the situation showing how or that the stimulus money will move the state past having the problem/situation still exist after the stimulus money has been spent (in the state). [Seems like good fiscal sense to me otherwise it's like pouring good money down a bottomless pothole.] And there may be other requirements, as well, but Mr. Hart didn't go into any details re: what those requirements might be.

As I understood the discussion, Mr. Hart came back feeling that Augusta is still figuring out what it has to do to obtain the stimulus money (as far as education is concerned at least) so nothing is known re: how much money will be available for local school districts - or when the state will know. In the meantime I do know, district employees are receiving their annual job performance evaluations and some are being told, "You'll receive a raise IF we receive a raise."

The discussion did come up re: some land currently owned by SAD63 that is used by the Holden School which the Town of Holden has suggested be turned over to the town. (I mentioned this issue in the blog covering the March 3 Selectmen's Public Hearing on the budget and the meeting that followed.)

Apparently the land in question includes some nature trails and the Veteran Memorial that was errected last year (I believe). Mr. Varnum indicated there had been a meeting with Holden's Code Enforcement Officer, Mr. Condon, which, after Condon's review of the proposal, resulted in a decision that there would be no problem with the proposal - from the perspective of code enforcement. Mr. Varnum acknowledged receipt of letters of concern from the Towns of Eddington and Clifton. There was some discussion re: the basis of the "concern".

Bottom Line: The Town of Holden has agreed to have some kind of a document written up (probably by an attorney or legal representative) specifying the terms of how the land would be turned over to the Town, the responsibilities the Town would accept for maintaining the Memorial and the grounds, how the land could be used, how the school/SAD63 could regain the property, etc., etc. Then the "document" would be submitted for review by the Board and the Towns of Eddington and Clifton (with the expectation that revisions, as needed, would follow). The Board appeared to be amiable to finding terms acceptable to all concerned. The misunderstanding seems to have come from the original use of the word "lease" which may (or may not) have been the intent by the initiating party.

The final step on the matter seemed to be a "Wait and See" what the final "document looks like, if and when the Town of Holden gets one done and presents it to the School Board. That was the motion made and passed.

As to the 2009/2010 School Year Issues - there were three noted:

1. The District will not be responsible for transporting Pre-K students. I am advised this is no change from previous years.

2. The Final Day of the School Year will be Tuesday, June 8 (subject to the number of Snow Days). It was decided NOT to plan the final day of the school year based on a fixed number of snow days. Instead, the date has been fixed at June 8 - then parents can plan what the date will be based on how many snow days are called. As an example: On the first snow day, parents will know to add 1 day to June 8 and plan the final day to be Wednesday, June 9. If there is a second snow day, parents will know to add another day to the end of the school year and the last day will be, Thursday, June 10., etc., etc. That way, those families trying to plan vacations around the end of the school year will know how to schedule the final day instead of having to call the principal's office.

The week of Thanksgiving will be vacation week - but it will be a workshop week for the teachers.

School will begin (I believe) the week of August 24, 2009. My notes are unclear as to whether the first day was Monday the 24th or Wednesday the 26th. Labor Day is late this year, but the principals felt it was better to stay with what is the norm for starting the school year (and besides it helps with plannng the end date.

and - finally - Consolidation Issues...

3. With so many issues being raised in the Legislature re: Consolidation and the People's Initiative that will be on the November Ballot to repeal the whole Dang thing, the Board felt it was best to take a "wait and see" attitude until the issues fall out and they know which way to turn. If some kind of consolidation plan needs to go forth, the "partners" are already in place (absent Brewer which would probably be a contract Partner for an option high school, perhaps in addition to bangor and John Bapst).

There appears to be the thought that the "penalty" for voting down consolidation will not be levied by the state this year - but no one can say what next year will bring. Obviously, if the People's Initiative passes (to repeal the Governor's mandate) it seems unlikely the penalty could be assessed. On the other hand, if the Legislature passes something that the Governor vetoes, the Legislature will need the number of votes to override the veto. Let's just agree that things are unclear at the moment re: this issue. Hopefully voters will turn out and Speak Loudly in November.

Last night's Annual Town Meeting follows in a separate blog.