Parents and staff raise hygiene, space and special-education concerns after Mountain Valley Middle School closure; board to schedule facilities review

Members of the public and several staff used the school board’s public-comment period to describe crowded, noisy and potentially unsanitary conditions in temporary classrooms used since Mountain Valley Middle School closed and to press the board for more accountability from district leadership.

The comments came during the Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 (RSU 10) board meeting. Several speakers described the 7th–8th grade learning area inside Mountain Valley High School as an open, garage-like space with loud echoes, insufficient restroom capacity and personal items piled on metal shelving rather than in lockers.

“First off, we’re in an old bus garage. This is a huge room that echoes like crazy,” said Mikaela Harding, an eighth-grade student at Mountain Valley, describing noise that she said affects tests and daily learning. Melissa Harding, who identified herself as a parent and a worker at a local community-health organization and a former building advisory committee member, told the board there are “3 toilets for around 200 students” and that students regularly wait in hallways to use restrooms.

Several parents and staff also raised concerns about special-education supports and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Samantha Hanson, a parent of an elementary student in a life-skills classroom, said staffing shortages and missed IEP services have “caused him to regress” and argued the district needs dedicated leadership for special education rather than combining it with the superintendent’s duties.

Not all public comments were critical of administration. Jessica (last name not stated) defended Superintendent Deb Alden’s response to the crisis and said, “I believe she deserves a raise and stay as the superintendent,” adding that Alden “worked with what she had and did the best any superintendent could have done in the same circumstances.” Amanda Provencher and other speakers called for more accountability; Provencher urged the board to consider terminating Alden’s contract.

Board members and staff described steps already taken to mitigate problems while the district finishes longer-term work. The superintendent’s report said rugs and extra dividers have been added in the 7th–8th grade area to dampen sound; two special-education rooms were relocated closer to grade-level classrooms; a music teacher and others have worked on additional soundproofing; lockers are planned for installation; and the district purchased 10 rubber mats for staff comfort.

Board members also heard requests for additional short-term safety measures. A board member who toured the space said she was concerned about crowding and asked whether an occupancy permit had been issued and whether the fire marshal had reviewed the temporary arrangement; the transcript does not show a definitive answer to those specific questions.

The board debated whether to add a discussion of the district’s facilities plans and past superintendent annual reports to the current meeting’s agenda. Board member Greg (surname not specified) moved that the board discuss “RSU 10’s past facilities plans and the superintendent’s annual reports on the condition of the facilities as related to the premature closure of Mountain Valley Middle School.” After members asked for more time for administration to prepare numbers and documentation, the chair said Deb Alden and Greg would “work on the next agenda, and we will make sure that it gets on there for ample discussion.” The motion to add the item to tonight’s agenda was not carried; board members agreed to schedule the discussion for a subsequent meeting so administration can compile budgets, payments and other supporting documentation.

Clarifying details raised during comments and by staff included: teachers logged long weekend hours to prepare temporary classrooms; parents reported concerns about lice or bed‑bug transmission because student items are stored closely together pending locker installation; bathroom-to-student ratios cited by commenters were roughly 3 toilets for about 200 students; lockers and additional hall dividers were said to be planned; the district reported purchasing sound-dampening rugs and 10 rubber mats and moved two special-education rooms nearer their grades. The transcript does not specify whether an occupancy permit for the temporary space was issued or whether the fire marshal has formally inspected the area.

The board did not take a final policy or personnel action on the superintendent’s contract at the meeting. Several board members said they heard the public’s concerns and asked administrators to return with specific numbers and reports at the next meeting so the board can assess options and next steps.