Victoria Burns, Superintendent

1. Thank you to the citizens of Gray and New Gloucester for voting to pass the School Board recommended school budget for 08-09. Approximately 95 voters were present at the Budget Meeting. The citizens approved the school budget at the Budget Validation vote by the following:

a. New Gloucester Yes 500 No 192

b. Gray Yes 965 No 351.

MSAD #15 welcomes three newly elected School Board Members;

Gray Tod Bennett (returning) Anne Rowe

New Gloucester Gary Harriman

2. The Teacher’s Contract was approved by both the School Board and the Teachers’ Association. Thank you to the Personnel Committee for their excellent work negotiating this contract. Included in your packet is a letter from Michelle Adler, Teachers Association, who shares her thoughts on the positive collective bargaining meetings and the staff’s appreciation to have the contract settled as we end our current school year.

3. The Alternative Plan for reorganization required under the school consolidation law was approved by the School Board on June 11 and submitted to the State to meet the June 13^th deadline.

4. The High School Graduation was held on June 7 at the Civic Center. It was a positive event, and I want to thank the administration and staff for the uplifting ceremony. Dr. Rich provided the introduction to the evening. It is my understanding that Project Graduation was also a success. Thank you to the parents for providing this opportunity to our graduates. Seventy-seven Percent (77%) of our graduating seniors are going on to a 4-year, 2-year college or training post-graduate experience.

5. The last student day is Tuesday, June 24^th. Students in grades 6-12 will be released at 10:30 a.m. and K-5 students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. with lunch provided for K-5 only. I have been to Memorial, Russell and Dunn Schools this week and was pleased to observe students engaged in work and with smiles still on their faces!

6. Resignations: Robert Lindstedt, HS Science and John White, Transportation

7. Interviews for vacant positions are in process:

High School

Art Teacher

Special Education Teacher

(2) Science Teachers

Middle School

1 year PE Teacher

Choral Teacher

Dunn

Special Education Teacher

Memorial

Grade 1 Teacher

Russell

Gr. 1 (1 year) Teacher

Gr. 2 Teacher

K-5 Teacher of the Gifted and Talented

Operations and Transportation

Manager of Transportation and Facilities

Bus mechanic

Bus driver.

8. Congratulations to the HS Girls Softball Team for achieving the semifinals.

9. The Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards Workplace Safety and Health Division were at MSAD #15 for several days last week to conduct a complete safety inspection. A letter will be sent to MSAD #15 noting any workplace safety issues that need to be corrected. I attended an initial and final meeting with the officers. I will inform the Board with the results of the inspection and a plan for any needed actions to be completed within 90 days.

10. Representatives from the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Southern Maine came to a meeting at Russell School to provide information on a Masters of Literacy, which will be taught on-site at MSAD #15. Approximately 30 teachers (K-12) attended the session. This on-site Masters in Literacy is a one of a kind partnership and should result in improved achievement for all our students.

11. Mr. Towle, Director of Finance and Operations, will meet with Tom Greer, Civil Engineer, to do a site walk at the high school in preparation for the construction of the new entrance. Mr. Greer did some of the prep work for the entrance when he obtained the DEP permits for the construction of the high school. Any Board member is welcome to come to the meeting if he or she would like to get a first hand look at the beginning of this project. Plans will be presented to Facilities for approval at a later date.