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Superintendent reports on grant application, operations report, transportation communications review and emergency planning
Summary
Superintendent Gleason updated the RSU 06 board Oct. 6 on a Buxton Center grant application to a play-based learning program, a new monthly operations report, plans to investigate bus radio communications dead zones, and emergency-planning updates including ALICE training and coordination with York County Emergency Management.
Superintendent Gleason gave a multi-part operational report at the Oct. 6 RSU 06/MSAD 06 School Board meeting covering grants, operations reporting, transportation communications and emergency planning.
Gleason said Buxton Center Elementary applied to a play-based learning program in partnership with the DOE; awards, if granted, would range from $5,000 to $7,000 to offset travel, lodging, substitutes and implementation costs for early-education teams (pre-K through grade 2). The superintendent noted the application had been submitted but said the district had not yet been awarded the grant.
Gleason also highlighted that the district’s business manager has started a monthly operations report, available in board packets, that provides high-level information about staffing, cash flow, meals served, transportation and facilities productivity figures.
On transportation, Gleason reported concerns raised previously about radio communications for bus drivers. He said the district found some dead zones created by foliage and by distance from dispatch towers, and that the district will hire an outside company to investigate the communications system more thoroughly. He told the board drivers sometimes rely on nearby buses to relay messages, or they can pull over to use cell phones in an emergency. The superintendent emphasized the district is not aware of prolonged complete communications failures and that the investigation will determine whether equipment failure or trimming vegetation would improve coverage; Don Pooler and the transportation manager were cited as having been involved in the review.
On emergency planning, Gleason said Assistant Superintendent Lori led an update of school and site plans, including adoption of ALICE (an active-response framework) and a districtwide meeting with first responders and York County Emergency Management. He said the feedback from partners was positive and that school-closing procedures were updated for 2025–26, including a new link for families to sign up for meal distribution on remote days.
Gleason also reviewed community events (homecoming activities) and asked the public to respect school-bus safety laws. He congratulated staff member Susie Simmons for two awards recognizing innovation in educational technology.
The board did not take formal action on these informational items; staff will follow up with an outside communications vendor and return findings to the board if equipment or procedural changes are recommended.
