Superintendent’s Report

January 16, 2008

Victoria A. Burns, Superintendent

 

1.              The 08-09 School Budget is the focus of January. The administrative team has met twice to go over needs, additions, and reductions in order to meet the Finance Committee’s proposed target of a 3% budget increase in addition to the 3.7% increase dedicated to the Upgrade and Renovation Bond.

 

2.              My office invited the following senators and representatives to the January 23 Public Forum on consolidation:

a.     Gray-Senator Karl Turner

b.     Gray-Representative Susan Austin

c.      Gray-Representative Mark Bryant

d.     New Gloucester-Senator Lois Snow-Mello

e.     New Gloucester-Representative Michael Vaughan.

Senator Lois Snow-Mello has confirmed that she plans to attend.

 

3.              I have received three emails from citizens indicating that they have received the consolidation newsletter sent home with students and through a mass email for grades 3-12.

 

4.              I want to thank the high school staff, students, and administration for their ability to maintain a positive attitude during the inconveniences caused by the upgrade and renovation construction. Students and staff did evacuate to the gym briefly last week as the result of an odor filtered through the school as workers were cutting brick outside the building. The music and one science room have been temporarily relocated due to odors/dust associated with either roofing or use of equipment. I met with representatives from PDT architects and the contractors to problem-solve solutions to these situations. The contractor agreed to use after school hours for any construction activities that result in problematic dust/fumes. If rescheduling is not an option, the contractor agreed to consult with the Principal to arrange for movement of students and staff away from the work that might result in temporary air quality issues. Mr. Towle, Director of Finance and Operations, contracted with Jay Nadeau, Environmental Specialist, to test and monitor the music and science rooms for any air quality issues.

 

5.              Last week you received a copy of the letter sent to the Commissioner of Education by Union 29. Union 29 requested the opportunity to develop an alternative plan for consolidation as opposed to continuing the consolidation talks with MSAD #15. The Department of Education requested a response from MSAD #15’s School Board to Union 29’s letter. Does MSAD #15’s School Board agree to Union 29’s proposal to develop an alternative plan to consolidation? Since Union 29 is the only consolidation partner for MSAD #15, the result of Union 29 becoming an RSU composed only of Poland, Mechanic Falls, and Minot will be that MSAD #15 will also need to develop an alternative plan. If the alternative plan is approved by the Commissioner, MSAD #15 will become a Regional School Unit composed of the Towns of Gray and New Gloucester.

 

6.              The MSAD #15 Board of Directors will host a Public Forum on Consolidation and the 2008-2009 School Budget will be held at the Middle School Cafeteria on January 23 at 6:30 p.m.