RSU 52 board approves consent items: hires, capital projects, van and bus financing

The RSU 52/MSAD 52 school board approved a consent agenda that included multiple instructional hires, contract extensions for principals and assistant principals, release of reserve funds to purchase updated financial software, and the transfer of up to $200,000 from a special-education reserve to cover FY 2025 overages.

Board members also approved financing for transportation: the finance committee recommended—and the board accepted—using Anerskoggan Bank to finance one bus purchase for FY 2026 and to finance two additional vans previously approved. The finance committee reported the district has purchased three vans and expects two more to arrive in July; the district will take possession of the bus in July.

Why it matters: The district’s staffing, transportation capacity and building projects affect day-to-day operations and student services. Officials said recent efforts reduced cancellations and improved field-trip coverage; planned capital work targets roofs, HVAC and building maintenance across district schools.

Hires and personnel: The board approved hiring Amy Roscoe as a high-school special-education teacher; Libby Forbes for kindergarten at Turner Primary; and Christina Spia for a 3–4 combo at Lehi Central School. Several principals and assistant principals received contract extensions. The consent agenda also listed resignations and retirements to be noted: Jack Dodd and Ellen Stevens (music teachers), Lisa Pratt (food service manager), Penny Micklin (custodian), and an ESL teacher identified as Daruni (last name pronounced during the meeting).

Facilities and capital work: Facilities updates reported to the board included ongoing roofing demo at Lead Central starting June 17, HVAC unit installations at Green Central scheduled for June 23, and a list of capital improvements being pursued over the summer including painting, carpeting, lighting and replacement of flood-prone fixtures. The wastewater treatment project is under heavy construction; the central-office parking lot will be closed the week of July 4 while crews connect the leach field and contractors will dig across Turner Center Road beginning July 7 for roughly two weeks to complete pipe routing.

Transportation: Finance committee members told the board the district purchased three vans, has two more incoming in July, and is arranging the purchase of a single bus this year rather than the two originally considered. Quotes were reviewed from Anerskoggan Bank and NCB Leasing; the board accepted the finance committee’s recommendation to use Anerskoggan Bank at a quoted rate (5.14% referenced by staff) and approved the financing.

Budget items: The board authorized accessing a $100,000 FY 2026 reserve set aside for a financial software upgrade and approved transferring up to $200,000 from a special-education reserve to soften the FY 2025 special-education overage driven by MaineCare/contracted services costs and staffing shortages.

Next steps: The superintendent and business office will proceed with software procurement and vendor coordination for the bus and vans, and facilities staff will continue summer capital work. The board asked staff to report back as projects proceed and to present any budget adjustments at subsequent meetings.