Lewiston administrators report smooth start to 2025–26 school year; special programs, facilities and staffing highlighted

Summary

At the Sept. 8 Lewiston School Committee meeting administrators from across the district described a largely smooth start to the 2025–26 school year, noting new and expanded programs — including a Maine Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing classroom — facility upgrades, and continuing staffing and attendance challenges.

At a Lewiston School Committee meeting Monday, district leaders reported a broadly smooth start to the 2025–26 school year while summarizing new programs, facility work and staffing needs.

The updates, delivered under agenda item 6, covered individual school openings, special-education placements and co-teaching expansions, new career-technical offerings, summer facilities work and early data on enrollment and attendance — items administrators said matter for classroom instruction and district planning.

Administrators from elementary, middle and high schools credited planning, custodial and facilities work for the smooth openings. “The pulse right now feels really good,” Superintendent Jake Langley said when he introduced the reports, and several principals described positive feedback from staff and families.

Deb Bryant, principal of Connors, said staffing and routines helped produce “the smoothest start since Connors has opened,” and described classroom-level steps to improve safety and consistency. “All staff have emergency response bags…they have Band‑Aids, gloves, [and] items needed for an evacuation,” Bryant said, describing contents and noting some classrooms include diabetic snacks…

Lewiston administrators report smooth start to 2025–26 school year; special programs, facilities and staffing highlighted

Summary

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