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RSU 04 moves ahead with primary school closure; staff reassigned and packing plans under way
Summary
Following voter approval, RSU 04 leaders outlined staff moves, classroom assignments and packing logistics for the closing primary school and said they will stage an open-house celebration before the building is cleared.
The RSU 04 school board on April 9 confirmed details for closing the district’s primary school (SPS) and described staff reassignments, classroom placements and packing plans as leaders prepare for a summer move.
Board and district leaders said the three sending towns supported the closure and district administrators have met with staff at the affected schools to review room assignments and logistics. The board described plans to reassign first-grade teachers to Libby Tozier, kindergarten teachers to the pre-K/special-education/art wing at Libby Tozier, second-grade staff to Carrie Ricker (first floor) and third grade to the second floor, and to stage “step up” days so students can visit their new classrooms before fall.
Superintendent (name not specified) told the board she and other administrators met individually with staff at the affected schools to discuss assignments and to check in on staff well-being following the vote. District staff will coordinate packing and storage: Samantha (staff member) is handling logistics in partnership with Mark Taylor, the district’s operations director, and the district will supply boxes, painter’s tape and other moving materials.
Operations director Mark Taylor said his facilities team is prioritizing safety and maintenance work ahead of the move, including new lighting at Libby Tozier’s back entrance and extra custodial coordination for spring walk-throughs. Taylor said contractors are being scheduled for work between June and mid-August and that custodial staff managed a challenging snow season and are prepared for the upcoming moves.
District leaders also said they plan a celebratory open house at the closing school so families and alumni can visit the building before it is cleared. They described this as a short, planned window to honor the school’s history while completing packing, cleaning and construction work required to receive students at their new locations.
Board members asked questions about student supports at the receiving schools, including whether an existing teacher position converted to a dean role is required by enrollment or by special-education needs. The superintendent and other staff said the dean role uses a teacher contract (not an administrative contract) and was created to provide daily, in-school student support; they said payroll and benefit differences depend on where an individual falls on the teacher salary scale.
Board members emphasized the district will monitor the transitions closely and keep families informed by continuing communications as classrooms are assigned and move dates approach.
