The RSU 40/MSAD 40 superintendent told the school board that an entry plan of interviews and visits is nearly complete and that safety and the high school facility will be priorities going forward.

The superintendent said she has "finished almost all of the central office except for 1 person" and that her entry plan has “included over 40 people already.” She said she will start meeting parents and staff and aims to provide the board with a summary of themes before the holiday break.

Why it matters: the superintendent framed facilities and safety as linked to community well‑being, saying the high school building affects property values and community ability to attract residents. She asked the board for support in planning improvements that could be taken to local taxpayers and noted ongoing work to prepare for legal and policy changes.

Board members heard the superintendent recommend changes tied to a state law update affecting restraint and seclusion. The superintendent said special education directors Penelope and Ashley "have worked really hard to update the policy in anticipation of the new law" and that staff would be notified of draft policy changes before the formal policy committee process. "We'll be notifying staff that the changes that go into play will happen now," she said.

On school safety, the superintendent said she has "asked Brian Race to get quotes for repeaters for the buildings" to improve communications with police and first responders in an emergency. She said the device purchases "may not be able to be purchased this year," but that she will report back to the board on costs and options.

The superintendent described the high school as a community priority and urged local support for capital improvements. She noted that the district’s ranking on the state's capital construction list has moved over two decades ("we were number 52 on that list") and said further planning and hard figures from architects and an energy‑efficiency firm are pending before any formal proposal to voters.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: the record shows discussion and staff direction only. The superintendent directed staff to (1) draft policy language in response to the new restraint and seclusion law for policy committee review and (2) obtain cost quotes for emergency radio repeaters. No board vote on spending or a capital referendum was taken at the meeting.

Board engagement: the superintendent encouraged board members and community members to contact her directly with feedback and described plans for "coffee with the superintendent" events at each school to gather parent input. She said she will compile a non‑identifying summary of the entry plan conversations for the board.

Background: the superintendent referenced a law change effective Sept. 24 that prompted the policy updates and described the revisions as allowing earlier non‑physical intervention in some situations. She characterized the changes as consistent with long‑standing safety priorities: "when students are veering off in an unsafe manner, we need to just grab them and deal with that."