[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6192235,"mediaKeyId","4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47","parentId",4118543,"title","Board approves district technology plan and OKs cabling contract to replace banned camera systems","audioSeconds",1359,"startMs",2441000,"endMs",3800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47&start=2441&end=3800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47/thumbnail_2441000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192235/Maine/Board-approves-district-technology-plan-and-OKs-cabling-contract-to-replace-banned-camera-systems","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192235-54bdfb0987aafd88b75942a8a0907448/orig.mp4?Expires=1774893664&Signature=TeL4k4SF-MHQj86kj87CEXscreHn8nEbTNgsaq9NL2cqRBgoY4uGa6Dho5io5YE5v4YkrVkmDfWg77m4qpVD85Ab~VsBo9X20uhnQPw-w1oQEa23EKvKBVGN0S-gm7mUGOCJ0iD9ojnb9rwtwl10qPiX8jnkVD-OaJIcSksJa~KmJ-d4Z12gk668fFf2eNmVPOjB~cZD73-Vu61v09FPn4M-VQhQxtng3OimB3EFYA3nFTZUNa3Pd1Xy2fLCCbcHr8EYLJdpOSs5HxBoRa6xWyJQAFe99Lq2AHXT5BYs0WmCXdCTaQN4ejpdamgiXPaUtTxI5uugbvNlbfo7t~WPcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 40/MSAD 40","date","2025-06-20T04:36:03.94Z","article","The RSU 40/MSAD 40 Board voted to adopt a multi‑year district technology plan and approved a vendor contract to install network cabling needed to support a planned replacement and lease of surveillance cameras across seven district schools.

A staff presenter described the technology‑plan process: a committee formed in late 2024 conducted a SWOT analysis, produced belief statements about purposeful classroom technology use, emphasized digital citizenship and screen‑time guidance, and proposed timelines for device replacement and professional development. The plan recommends aligning technology use to curriculum, monitoring equity and screen time, and improving teacher training.

Board members debated screen use for early grades before approving the plan. One board member said concern remained about providing a dedicated device to every student in grades K–2; others praised the plan’s professional‑development and digital‑citizenship components.

Separately, the board approved a proposal to install cabling to support new cameras. Business manager Karen explained that the FY‑26 budget included $50,000 per year for a four‑year camera lease but did not include the cabling this fiscal year; the district issued an RFP, received two bids, and recommended a familiar local vendor at a bid price (reported in the packet) that came in below earlier estimates. Administrators said the current camera hardware included systems listed on the federal list of banned devices referenced by recent Maine cybersecurity legislation, requiring replacement or removal to meet state cyber guidance.

Administrators said the cabling work will use Category 6 (Cat‑6) network cable and will be completed before the fiscal year end so cameras can be deployed under the FY‑26 leasing plan; they described a typical camera service life of 8–10 years and said cabling is expected to support future camera replacements. Board members approved the cabling contract and the technology plan during the meeting.

The record shows the board discussed privacy and emergency‑access provisions for the replacement camera systems. Administrators said cameras would be internalized on the district network and that emergency responders would be given controlled access when necessary. No changes to district surveillance policy were adopted in this meeting; procurement and implementation will follow board direction and existing purchasing policies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 6/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","RSU 40/MSAD 40 adopted a multi‑year district technology plan and approved a vendor contract to install Cat‑6 cabling to support leased camera systems after administrators said current devices are on a banned‑devices list cited by Maine cybersecurity guidance.","taxTitle","RSU 40/MSAD 40, School Districts, Maine","taxId",68150,"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},6192240,"Independent auditor gives RSU 40 a clean opinion; district fund balance remains above state guidance",585,392000,977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47&start=392&end=977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47/thumbnail_392000.jpg","/articles/6192240/Maine/Independent-auditor-gives-RSU-40-a-clean-opinion-district-fund-balance-remains-above-state-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192240-65feb660efc732521e9364c26560f05f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774893664&Signature=cDRCcORdNe1TH6lcAIXuaiSJzQxOqm~p5AkCV~LRluUY5VZAz8vK6iccqN~or0-5osr3~UHXeHJGd9Kg2XA9P-efWCfxxKyqBQLWYvmG3LniU2RS-3IfLbQp4K3U1gAQ0iw0B2ezapthohArktQQ6yE9J4gVwJNdzFlDRhjp-t2NkKaV-xkpxDzybroAOzoT8XUe64ulpaebbXmUkz4k1PXsgupvru4BmbSiLLz3EQOPk~yHk-~u5iV~Ye-IL9oLu2n~f21lNqWvn4TXhnF-dHlHirlOs~UD6vX7sGKkBfLcj4csvk-vkNKh0yLcEcBI6KAtFTUSDp8jhZzd6pEXwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An independent audit firm told the RSU 40/MSAD 40 Board that the district’s 2024 financial statements received an unmodified (clean) opinion and the firm reported no internal control weaknesses that required board notification.

Christian Smith, a partner at Wipfli, said revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024, were about $66,000 higher than budget and expenditures about $950,000 below budget, producing an increase in fund balance. He reported the district ended the year with approximately $4,100,000 in fund balance, of which roughly $880,000 is assigned for specific purposes (including $600,000 budgeted for the 2024–25 year) and about $3,200,000 is unassigned.

Smith told the board that the State of Maine allows districts to carry an unassigned fund balance up to 9% of annual budget currently, that the district’s unassigned balance was about 8.82% at year end, and that the state’s carryover allowance is scheduled to drop to 5% for a future year (with pending legislation possibly restoring 9%). He cautioned that the district’s results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, could change those percentages depending on budgeted use of fund balance.

Wipfli also performed the required single‑audit procedures for federal grant programs; the auditor said they tested about $1.5 million in federal funds (local entitlement and coronavirus relief funds) and reported no findings for compliance or reporting.

Board members thanked the auditor and district business staff. Business manager Karen (last name in packet) noted the approved FY‑26 budget and that the budget vote passed with about 59% support while turnout varied across towns; she gave the district’s registered-voter tally as 10,924 and noted 1,949 people voted on the $40 million budget.

The audit presentation did not include a board vote; the auditor’s communications were accepted and the board moved on to other agenda items. The district plans to work with the state if fund-balance levels require a multiyear plan to spend down balances in response to state guidance.","Wipfli partner Christian Smith presented an unmodified (clean) opinion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, reporting revenues above budget by about $66,000 and expenditures under budget by about $950,000; the district ended the year with roughly $4.1 million in fund balance, with unassigned funds near state guidance levels.",{"_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},6192245,"Parents and board members warn of risks as district moves special-education cohort amid staff vacancies",1125,1234000,2359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47&start=1234&end=2359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47/thumbnail_1234000.jpg","/articles/6192245/Maine/Parents-and-board-members-warn-of-risks-as-district-moves-special-education-cohort-amid-staff-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192245-e9c5041aabf7d77f751f44ff521b74d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774893664&Signature=nhXnG~CMMl2~TLjJtWRtDshfITP7br6FoyQooY6okk3OeaNVrkaBC~l2gdTa~zy08QFuDoyu1mm~OGgw33GCS0w210HzMB2lkEYPPPOhgnvS21dsERfVKSny-23JizMLTPjQ1Z7S6hrilzI3joO4YooGdcSwQkwK56GfMrEyMwuVEbS8q~L86~dW0CFqQr2lrhanSDl8VQQu8DE6obe~Uh1V~hvUWEHAsgwGYQK7Mpe0kLK4zCxHZ0GQN3xv9kR8H7m9z27CtJA1FeogRuR4kpT4zIxcwcTIVbHShFZmPYH3osVycMvIx3juHsayXHaOtFIsrOuR7yjO9nL0G7Gn8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents and other speakers told the RSU 40/MSAD 40 Board of Directors that the scheduled move of a composite special-education classroom from Miller School to Union School raises major concerns about continuity, staffing and supports for vulnerable learners.

“You are asking the children who are the most vulnerable to changes in location, routine, teachers, and friends … it is going to set them back,” parent Kermita Shorten told the board during public comment, adding that her son spends about 80% of his day integrated with general‑education peers and that continuity of aides, principals and coordinators matters for those students.

Shorten and Jesse Thompson, another parent, said the move was made using incomplete or incorrect information, that some staff have not agreed to transfer, and that district leadership positions that support special education are currently vacant or in flux. Superintendent Steve Mullen reported to the board earlier in the meeting that Casey Lufkin, assistant director of special services, has submitted her resignation; he said the district will follow its normal hiring process and that board members would be invited to participate in interviews.

The parents said Union School currently lacks a principal in place, that some classroom teacher openings exist, and that several roles that support special education (district coordinator, assistant coordinator, occupational therapy coverage) may be unfilled or uncertain at the July 1 transition date. Thompson said comments made at a prior board meeting—though later qualified—left some families feeling unwelcome and urged board members to hold themselves to a high standard in public remarks.

Board members and administrators did not vote on the special-education placement during the public-comment segment. The board chair invited the superintendent and staff to address operational questions and said hiring and administrative processes will follow policy and law. No final administrative decision or additional motions about the placement were recorded in this session.

Parents asked for clearer written information about who will staff the classroom, what aides have committed to transfer, and what coordinator or specialist coverage will be available after the move. They also asked the board to ensure recruitment and onboarding for experienced special‑education staff are prioritized so students do not lose services when the classroom changes location.

The board packet and subsequent discussion indicated the district will follow existing hiring procedures for administrative roles; the superintendent said staff would reach out to board members when it is time to interview candidates for the assistant director vacancy.

Parents asked the board to keep the record of their concerns and seek written clarifications about staffing commitments before the transition date.","Parents told the RSU 40/MSAD 40 Board that relocating a “composite” special-education classroom from Miller School to Union School could harm students’ continuity; speakers also flagged recent staff turnover including the assistant director of special services’ resignation and gaps in special-education leadership and classroom experience.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6192230,"Board pauses on priorities after wide discussion on governance, public comment and media relations",0,6384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47&start=6384&end=6384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4118543-b7dff85650cebe21485b15d8cc1bea47/thumbnail_6384000.jpg","/articles/6192230/Maine/Board-pauses-on-priorities-after-wide-discussion-on-governance-public-comment-and-media-relations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192230-88100355188c3fcba078f66baa7e9c46/orig.mp4?Expires=1774893664&Signature=GdRTLySeUWTRLjCLsRc5o45Uo9mxZoRgCgm3nYoyUihtbqd4yz8t3-hQ5hvPxuqNDhnq6oYcInJvzRYpM8EzIIIRwIPvSuPSAEl66pTJtSpyhN4uSqoNdIc9AlPVsnOMR8LaevxcghIOiHA3yaBtLt~bmS-HV8wSXV6AbiQY4HvAtYn~hUe6imdhh7jOPSJtD00lZ7BkQHG~kWujHmpvPpEn7pluwAZxEz8DqO6t1fXGAiFrG1v2lyhdoxMgU-xBYZgZ6IYtWNwiCFHQhC-LmC1jKXNhcvKW~PWrJpEB1TTDN7ggYJnErmu61O7WN4rjzAxNdvNR~GTTziu7Btr9zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members spent substantial time reviewing the results of a recent board self‑evaluation and debating how to turn the findings into priorities and actionable objectives. The board did not adopt new goals at this meeting and tabled an action item to allow members time to prepare proposals.

Discussion items included how the board uses data to evaluate district progress, how and when the public can best participate in meetings, media relations and how to be a positive voice for the schools. Several members said they do not consistently receive the level of detail they want before votes and asked for improved reporting from staff on academic performance, testing and standards. The chair asked members to submit proposed goals in advance so they could be included in the next board packet and voted on at a subsequent meeting.

Members debated whether to move the public‑comment period to later on the agenda so audience members could respond after board discussion; some members said moving comment later risks making decisions before hearing the public, while others said early public comment sometimes happens before information is presented. Board policy BEDH and AC were cited in the public‑comment instructions that open meetings follow. Members also discussed permissible contact with media and cited policy BBAA about how individual board members should respond to public inquiries.

The board accepted that discussion of self‑evaluation results would continue; one member moved to table the item and the motion was seconded, so the board deferred finalizing priorities and objectives until the next meeting, and staff was asked to include any written proposals in the next packet to allow for deliberation and a possible vote at the following meeting.","The board reviewed results of its self‑evaluation and held an extended, unscripted discussion about goals, public participation, media relations and internal communication; members agreed to collect proposed goals and revisit priorities at their next meeting, tabling an action item for further discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves district technology plan and OKs cabling contract to replace banned camera systems

Independent auditor gives RSU 40 a clean opinion; district fund balance remains above state guidance

Parents and board members warn of risks as district moves special-education cohort amid staff vacancies

Board pauses on priorities after wide discussion on governance, public comment and media relations