Victoria Burns, Superintendent

1. School has been canceled four times due to weather. The last student day is now Thursday, June 19^th.

2. Construction is complete at Russell School. Two new spaces will be available within a week. The old administrative office will become classroom space; and the renovated teacher’s room will become the art and music room. Mr. Joseph will schedule an “open house” so that the public can view the improvements. A thank you must go to administration and staff for their patience during construction. It certainly has been worth it. I think of those deteriorating window walls of the past and say, “Job well done!”

3. The high school project is ongoing and, due to the scope of the renovation, the going has been tough at times for the staff and students. I met once again with the PDT architects and representatives of Davis and Hanscom, the contractors, to problem solve issues that continue to “crop” up during the renovation process. There was an evacuation during the week of January 22 when dust from construction work was blown into the library area. As a result of that evacuation, Terry Towle and I asked for an improved communication process so that high school administration can know when work that may cause fumes or dust happens at the high school. George Litrocapes, Maintenance Supervisor, will work at the high school and communicate daily with the construction superintendent and clerk of the works regarding the work schedule.

4. I also met with Mike Barter, Fire Inspector for the Town of Gray, to thank him for being such a professional support to the administrative staff as the construction continues. Mr. Barter walks through the high school on a weekly basis to check air quality. To date, he has not found any unhealthy readings. MSAD #15 has also employed Jay Nadeau, Environmental Specialist, to monitor the air quality of the building.

5. Questions gathered from the January 3 School Board Workshop on Consolidation/08-09 Budget are found on the District’s web page. The questions are included in your packet.

6. The Graduation Policy Committee met on January 30, 2008 to review the data gathered from staff, students and parents regarding the Committee’s draft graduation policy that will be presented to the Policy Committee on April 2. Minutes are enclosed in your packet.

7. The Commissioner of Education is scheduled to respond to the School Board’s letter that asks permission for MSAD #15 to submit an alternative plan in response to consolidation. Any communication will be shared during the School Board meeting on February 6.

8. This evening I will present an overview of the draft 08-09 school budget that will be presented at a public School Board Workshop on Saturday, February 9, at the Middle School cafeteria. The time for the workshop is 9: 00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided by the District. An agenda for the day is included in your packet.