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RSU 09 board reallocates $200,000 to upgrade Mount Blue Middle School culinary space; routine items pass
Summary
The RSU 09 school board approved using $200,000 found in a prior line (the Bjorn fund) to improve Mount Blue Middle School’s kitchen and CTE programming, authorizing an initial domestic-equipment upgrade estimated at about $106,000 while deferring purchase of commercial hoods; consent items and an All‑State music trip also passed unanimously.
The RSU 09 school board on Thursday voted to reallocate $200,000 from a previously carried line item to support career-technical education (CTE) and culinary programming at Mount Blue Middle School.
Superintendent: The funds were discovered by the operations and finance committees and come from a prior allocation known informally as the Bjorn fund. The superintendent told the board the construction and equipment proposal would allow the district to bring the school kitchen “into great shape” for broader classroom use and estimated the immediate, domestic-focused upgrades at about $106,000 (installation and delivery additional). The superintendent said the board was not being asked to buy commercial hoods this fiscal year and that purchases of larger commercial systems could be deferred until there were placements and storage for them.
Why it matters: Board members said the upgrade would expand hands-on food-preparation instruction for middle-school students, covering skills such as food prep, refrigeration and basic cooking techniques. Board members also raised questions about student safety and the district’s long-term equipment needs before endorsing the plan.
What was debated: During discussion, a board member asked whether buying commercial-grade hood systems costing “upwards of $200,000” would be appropriate for a middle-school setting and whether frying with oil or butter posed safety concerns. Joel Smith, who participated in the turf and facilities conversations earlier in the meeting, said the proposed initial equipment list “looks like something that we should probably move on” and that the plan should meet instructors’ and students’ needs.
Vote and next steps: A board member moved to approve the initial domestic-equipment upgrade (leaving purchase of three commercial hoods for later consideration) and a second was recorded; the motion passed unanimously. District staff will proceed with the domestic-equipment improvements and hold funds for potential future purchase of commercial hoods if the board elects to do so later.
Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda: moved by a board member and seconded by Will Jones; approved unanimously. - Mount Blue Middle School culinary/CTE funding: moved and seconded during new business; approved unanimously (board directed staff to proceed with the domestic-equipment upgrades and retain funds for possible future commercial hood purchases). - All‑State Music Festival trip (May 15–17, 2025 corrected dates): moved by a board member, seconded by Joel Smith; approved unanimously.
The board also received routine reports on staffing, nutrition services and a turf-committee update; the meeting adjourned after the scheduled items.
