The Saco City Council meeting held on October 6, 2025, focused on several key updates from the school district, including enrollment statistics, residency verification processes, and community engagement initiatives.

Superintendent Jeremy emphasized the positive start to the school year, noting the unusually warm October weather, which helps maintain comfortable conditions in older school buildings. He provided an update on a recent water leak at Fairfield School, which was addressed with a cost-effective solution of approximately $40,000, significantly lower than an alternative estimate of $125,000.

Enrollment figures were a major topic of discussion. Currently, the district serves 1,898 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, with 891 students in high school. Notably, the number of multilingual learners has decreased due to the closure of a local hotel that housed many students. Superintendent Jeremy highlighted a significant increase in vocational program participation, with 115 Saco students attending the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, reflecting a growing interest in trades among students.

Councilor Hatch raised concerns about residency verification, asking for clarification on the processes in place to ensure that students are indeed residents of Saco. Superintendent Jeremy explained that the verification process includes checking forms of identification, voter registration, and lease agreements, while also acknowledging challenges related to homelessness and transient living situations.

The meeting also touched on the number of students being homeschooled or attending private schools, with Superintendent Jeremy indicating he would provide those figures in a future update.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the school district's proactive approach to managing enrollment and community needs, while also addressing the importance of ensuring that educational resources are allocated to local residents. The council looks forward to further discussions on these topics in upcoming meetings.