[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6216731,"mediaKeyId","3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1","parentId",3650661,"title","Board approves Falcon Summer Camp overnight trips, outdoor grants for students","audioSeconds",408,"startMs",2628000,"endMs",3036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1&start=2628&end=3036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1/thumbnail_2628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6216731/Maine/Board-approves-Falcon-Summer-Camp-overnight-trips-outdoor-grants-for-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216731-06abba2584384fbc7b716fb58c3bd76b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775452917&Signature=lmE~vTuGHM0n-j~9Icjb1SMCW9~xgtfa~UHNNrz0DwprxzKWQpUhuWX10dxQC0Vk06M--DM9EwM8ZOifyUahqwq3ki2YeOhBHwcMiiskdUcfZ5016ISWTYg4NmYUXFh9lUB7eiZRSVkRVYPXzklz2b-bJIYsOkgdDjV7nPMAmnTELpVmnbf8ah5K91DAUmcdwP8~PS48-KFcYyWVF1EiQnytB2WZXhGmy9suj90eD0IUInr3ZtTY3kKtA1BnPqrLno-Wz~NcuTHSytkQAINnzJ4UIccazNkbuzlOgSNc5u9RoT90pMJJOolT3LPeykirKxn5RaS12-zA5Jxk0cdi7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 10","date","2025-06-03T12:42:34Z","article","The RSU 10 school board approved overnight portions of Falcon Summer Camp and related outdoor field trips after a presentation from program leaders Todd Papiano and Karen Wilson.

Program leaders described a three-week schedule for the district’s Falcon Summer Camp: an intro camp for freshmen and sophomores including day activities and a two-night stay at Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park; a canoe trip on the Saint Croix River for students with demonstrated canoe proficiency; and a hut-based trip to Appalachian Mountain Club facilities in New Hampshire for students selected through the outing club.

Karen Wilson and Todd Papiano said the program receives funding from “Maine West” and Friends of River Valley and that the outing club obtained grant support through L.L. Bean and the Appalachian Mountain Club — the presenters described grants of up to $5,000 per year to help take students to AMC huts and reduce student costs. Wilson described recent student trips (including Zealand Falls Hut) and said administrators had sought board approval because students will travel overnight and across state lines to New Hampshire for one hut trip.

A motion to approve the overnight activities passed without recorded opposition. The board approved the administration’s request and asked presenters to provide required permission forms and trip logistics to the central office and families.

Presenters said the experiences are designed to expose students who may not often visit the coast or high-country hiking to Maine’s outdoor resources and to expand experiential learning options for the district.

Board members thanked staff for arranging safety planning and transportation; the board did not assign additional funds during the vote and approved the trips on the recommendation of administration and program staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The RSU 10 board approved overnight Falcon Summer Camp trips, including Acadia and Saint Croix River canoeing, and accepted grant-supported hut trips with L.L. Bean and Appalachian Mountain Club funding.","taxTitle","RSU 10, School Districts, Maine","taxId",66963,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6216736,"RSU 10 board to consider reallocating funds after budget validation; special-education tuitions and superintendent dual-role questioned",883,5769000,6652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1&start=5769&end=6652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1/thumbnail_5769000.jpg","/articles/6216736/Maine/RSU-10-board-to-consider-reallocating-funds-after-budget-validation-special-education-tuitions-and-superintendent-dual-role-questioned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216736-5425ead2f2f0ecac07bbd0725c896654/orig.mp4?Expires=1775452917&Signature=ftEfwncGHoiuqLU2VSKTklMwOGyW2L3FkZ6mJfwvs66GdJRhyjr4NJjcEU0ROe3OAis7Pw2lY76XGsYniraxoQvQcYtKM8S5gPwq4UnbN7e7hr5B2eSuKFyX13XgZAqnFcziRsXWNS~9TqHa-X3txgh~dyUwVF6DY5x66nYgr9efp09rnNpHjpN6HTF41tM4CaSSS9sOeQseHUGmMYS3TS0hqjj0Kr9Y6npNgVYJYJaUfPthTRGuvOmvwYJmv3XsVjaXpr-hSirj189B5l8X79bD3JKeHgNkngus3ky2-AtqaRvAwm2hzoXqugoyweQ78Jlw2VuKNUK8iTqY1LP2qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members asked the RSU 10 administration to return with specific budget reallocation recommendations after the annual budget validation changed several line items at the polls.

The administrative team reported that the out-of-district tuition cost center was budgeted for 38 students in the adopted FY26 budget but currently shows 41 known out-of-district placements; administrators recommended using the additional $45,000 identified during the validation process to cover unfunded tuitions. “We are budgeted for 38 out-of-district tuitions. Right now...we have 41 outside tuitions for next year,” the superintendent said when proposing the recommendation.

Board members requested a follow-up report showing where the validation reductions and increases should be allocated. The administration agreed to provide a recommended reallocation of four affected cost centers (special education, transportation, facilities and system administration) and to return to the board at the June 16 meeting with firm line-item changes.

Separately, the board discussed whether the superintendent should continue in a dual role that included special-education responsibilities. Darcy (board member) referenced statute language and asked for written confirmation from counsel and the Maine Department of Education about whether a full-time superintendent may perform additional duties; she cited a statute provision requiring a superintendent’s full time be devoted to the supervisory unit unless the commissioner approves outside duties. Several board members said they had sought informal guidance from the commissioner’s office and MSMA and requested formal written confirmation; others said prior board votes had allowed the dual role and questioned why more written confirmation was necessary.

Administrators also explained the procedural steps required after validation: the district needs to finalize the line-item allocations and submit those numbers to the Maine DOE before fiscal-year start July 1. The board asked administration to present the recommended reallocations for a vote at the June 16 meeting so the district can meet state reporting timelines.

No final reallocations were adopted at the meeting; the board provided direction and requested specific recommended motions and cost-center adjustments from the administration.","After the annual budget validation produced changes at the polls, RSU 10 administrators recommended using available funds to cover unfunded out-of-district special-education tuitions and the board requested formal line-item reallocation proposals ahead of the July fiscal year start.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6216742,"RSU 10 board adopts revised nondiscrimination, harassment policies after heated debate over gender identity",415,2673000,3088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1&start=2673&end=3088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1/thumbnail_2673000.jpg","/articles/6216742/Maine/RSU-10-board-adopts-revised-nondiscrimination-harassment-policies-after-heated-debate-over-gender-identity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216742-0445b828679cbec2a2fc7fdda2ab3478/orig.mp4?Expires=1775452917&Signature=MtcRS8LJISW2d4zjZvGNFxqtdJEvJA88v7-KQYol4ILmpiWLHUwI3lDbxW6UH0DKoKRx3PNWJjz3AaQBbpmfjxPxPN1IuPa4jCdRqpu82EaduGPsTDl84PktDJYgpcsqZtuYAOkXiP9odHiDZeTyCmI3E54fnp2eRRGtVwbHbLAEAOEKxFrsokZqNHndo9Hyd0wJEHhUif6ymjvoe2gTjXAemFxWcxYdiD-LGMBrN5BKkiTSWiDcwcTjoxSetuPIxIfOGhAq00w7Bsujb9ypx6IzyYpmwmKUw2HeB5~A~SI0XlsZzDRUNUUaK49MC2bYN-q6IEyklOUOlgOz9zk13A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 board voted to adopt revised versions of policy AC (nondiscrimination), policy ACAA (harassment and sexual harassment of students) and policy ACAB (harassment of employees) during its June meeting, retaining gender identity in the lists of protected characteristics.

Board members and public commenters framed the vote as balancing compliance with Maine law and federal protections. The board approved the revisions after an amendment to add age and genetic information to AC passed; later votes on the three revised policies carried.

Board member Bonnie (motion maker for the readings) presented the amendments and offered a grammatical fix; Darcy (board member) and other board members raised legal concerns and laid out hypothetical scenarios they said could arise under the revised language. Darcy spoke at length opposing the policies and said, “Therefore, I want everyone in our school district to know that I am opposing these policies, AC, ACAA, and ACAB,” tying her opposition to concerns about student safety, privacy and Title IX liability.

Supporters, including members who had worked on the policy committee, emphasized adherence to the Maine Human Rights Act and MSBA sample language and said the district must maintain nondiscrimination protections for multiple groups. Board member Allison said the administration is responsible to enforce harassment rules across settings and defended the protections as not targeting any single group.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the revised AC (as amended), ACAA and ACAB; meeting minutes record the motions carried. The board also accepted an amendment to AC to explicitly include “age” and “genetic information” in the list of protected classes.

Board members and public speakers repeatedly referenced legal risk and enforcement: commenters cited the Maine Human Rights Act and Title IX, and some urged the board to seek written counsel about federal-state conflicts and private right of action under Title IX before implementation.

The board did not adopt additional procedural language during the meeting to reconcile potential conflicts between state and federal law, but several members asked administration and legal counsel for clarifying guidance going forward.

The revised policies will be incorporated into the RSU 10 policy manual and enforced by administration according to the district’s existing complaint and investigation processes.

Board members agreed the policy committee and legal counsel should continue to advise on implementation and possible training for staff and coaches.

Looking ahead, several board members asked for further legal clarity and for the administrative team to outline implementation steps and any staff training needed to reduce confusion about application in locker rooms, bathrooms and team sports.","The Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 board voted to adopt revised versions of policies AC, ACAA and ACAB, keeping gender identity among protected characteristics after extended public comment and board debate.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6216726,"Mountain Valley Middle School principal reports strong state-test growth, says new school opens next year",230,24000,254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1&start=24&end=254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1/thumbnail_24000.jpg","/articles/6216726/Maine/Mountain-Valley-Middle-School-principal-reports-strong-state-test-growth-says-new-school-opens-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216726-d1e6b034b4a95065ded7d933e8477b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1775452917&Signature=KfmmBnHMrO8tQqn8sdqUcVvWVeWoupADBmS3K~-XsvfvSJVhY-bj9rKvQiW8eP1ZUFv9RXlG2SX1lUVCdmWPJSxDDvbQWmuvbRopoA9A9tVfNhIupm0PIs3OK2BzjGBVTwbqFuXoTPre3MMJykeHJoktdyPP5wEI-8XtJ2ndcB8H1~D4vgeYg79f0rQ~q84xqCfZl655WEeD9xMJyOX~Wk6NWsHFO15ZwNHrKecJc-MiZm93Nigaw5xdy3lGoeQabPt7Gt1HL7HKDcylo9VLhMdD2XxE6EaeSZyBEbb1HlOpwDjWVH8jSnmwib1QoQzTC~Nk3wYWRGK9dtH-fjx18g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carrie Luce, principal of Mountain Valley Middle School, told the RSU 10 board that the school is “finishing this school year strong” after reviewing state test results showing districtwide gains.

Luce reported that 65 percent of eighth graders met or exceeded their growth goals in both math and reading between last spring’s testing and the most recent testing, with growth reported in percentiles and point gains; she said the average year’s growth measured about seven points. She said growth ranged widely and that “the growth made by 65% of the eighth grade ranged from 8 points to 65 points across all instructional programs,” including general education, special education, gifted and talented and life-skills programs.

At the grade level, Luce said 46 percent of seventh graders met grade-level achievement goals and highlighted a 71 percent gain in seventh-grade geometry and a 76 percent gain in sixth-grade vocabulary; the schoolwide focus on interventions yielded 68 percent of targeted students making growth in statistics and probability and 75 percent improving in vocabulary. Luce credited a schoolwide intervention effort and named Title I teachers Jessica Saroy and Jen Clark for their work putting \"meaningful data in [teachers'] hands.\"

Luce also told the board the community can look forward to the opening of the new Mountain Valley Community School next year and listed upcoming end-of-year events for students. She framed the gains as the product of staff collaboration and a schoolwide focus on student growth and requested continued community support.

Board members thanked Luce for the report and for the staff’s work; the update was provided as part of the meeting’s opening remarks and informational reports.","Mountain Valley Middle School Principal Carrie Luce reported measurable gains on recent state tests, including growth for 65% of eighth graders and notable gains in geometry and vocabulary; she credited staff collaboration and thanked Title I teachers Jessica Saroy and Jen Clark. Luce said the district will open a new school next year,",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6216740,"RSU 10 buildings, grounds and transportation staff warn of shortages; assistant director urges contract changes",344,1024000,1368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1&start=1024&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650661-884467483660b2421aea2d29d222e7f1/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6216740/Maine/RSU-10-buildings-grounds-and-transportation-staff-warn-of-shortages-assistant-director-urges-contract-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216740-c58115ec7a60dc27f4d5d91a9f0f2253/orig.mp4?Expires=1775452917&Signature=bmn~ZliKZYVMmrXh~43TlTmiUnZRITcePS7xW8V6gac7VgfGLiVY5BRFzNJ8SY39MzJz1O64IyvNCKAf1GUXb3zdbE~CvBk66kXNp7tBQhvNxiIeEvxzycH0GYZFidvbCOyD8lIgNfxF1F~-dfENcBn-azk9tKBpUKvc9qVJSa0M1PF~IqjP5-zLeoC~OYRuK6eN5QkHEd7TmwIssR7vvTjWca4iuX~idDrKTy9PZ2rNX~HzB0KG2CNl8iCj3X3UhAIBC2d4lrauUqrRpd1nLVL4sOTM2ubgEkultFtklbpyEa1T6Cmkg-TsdKX1O6H7v1y39UhFygwjZa-Wsrmsxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jim Hodgkin, assistant director of buildings, grounds and transportation, told the RSU 10 school board that the department has been operating nearly the entire year eight staff short and urged the board to address pay and contract rules that he said block recruitment.

Hodgkin said the staffing shortfall has required custodial staff to cover bus driving shifts, costing the district nearly 18 hours of custodial service daily — roughly 90 hours per week — and reducing preventative maintenance and cleaning time. “We are also may not be aware of is that this department has been operating almost the entire year 8 people short,” he told the board.

Hodgkin attributed the recruiting problem to compensation and contract language: RSU 10 is paying at the low end of neighboring districts, and the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) does not give credit for prior experience from other districts, which he said deters applicants who would otherwise move into RSU 10 at a pay cut.

Hodgkin asked the board to consider reopening the CBA to address two items he identified as board-level decisions: raise local pay competitiveness and allow experience credit for hires from other districts. He warned that many long-serving employees are near retirement and that running the department shorthanded risks deferred maintenance and a larger future staffing crisis.

Board members did not take immediate formal action during the meeting, but members and administrators noted the issues and acknowledged Hodgkin’s request; the assistant director’s memo and a request to discuss contract language were included in board correspondence for follow-up.

Hodgkin thanked specific employees by name — Amy Perry, Peter Chase and Devon Roberts — for keeping operations running and stressed that the staffing gap has been masked by employee flexibility rather than resolved.

The board asked administration to include the staffing pressures and recommended contract changes in upcoming negotiations and budget planning.

No immediate budget appropriation or CBA amendment was adopted at the meeting; board members directed staff to bring options for recruitment, retention and a potential CBA reopener to a future meeting.","Assistant Director Jim Hodgkin told the RSU 10 board the buildings, grounds and transportation department has operated '8 people short' nearly all year and urged the board to open the collective bargaining agreement to allow credit for prior experience and to address pay; he warned shortages are eroding custodial hours and building maintenance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Falcon Summer Camp overnight trips, outdoor grants for students

RSU 10 board to consider reallocating funds after budget validation; special-education tuitions and superintendent dual-role questioned

RSU 10 board adopts revised nondiscrimination, harassment policies after heated debate over gender identity

Mountain Valley Middle School principal reports strong state-test growth, says new school opens next year

RSU 10 buildings, grounds and transportation staff warn of shortages; assistant director urges contract changes