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Superintendent reports on bus cancellations and plans for remote instruction; board reads Resolution 18 for first reading
Summary
Superintendent Gleeson explained bus cancellations caused by simultaneous staff illnesses and outlined plans to use remote instruction days (requiring meal provision). The board also received student reports and read Resolution 18 (policy KJA) for first reading to clarify district relations with independent parent/community groups.
Superintendent Gleeson told the RSU 06 board recent bus cancellations were driven primarily by simultaneous staff illnesses, not a shortage of drivers, and the district is exploring ways to reduce future disruptions.
"The safest thing for us to do in those situations is to have to cancel bus runs," Gleeson said, explaining that when multiple transportation staff are ill at the same time the district sometimes must rotate canceled runs and provide as much notice as possible. He said the district is considering recruiting more spare drivers but noted that the workload may not attract enough candidates for reliable spare coverage.
Gleeson also said the district has used three snow days so far this school year and is exploring calling remote instruction days instead of traditional snow days so the district can count those days for instructional time. He cautioned that to count a remote day as instruction the district must offer breakfast and lunch to families who want it and described logistical challenges when a storm on a Sunday affects Monday plans.
Board members praised reductions in truancy. Director Sejent highlighted recent daily counts — 126 on Jan. 24, 70 on Jan. 25 and 28 for a referenced "Jan year" figure — and credited staff outreach and awareness campaigns for the improvement.
Student representatives reported extracurricular successes: the high school cheerleaders won Class A regionals and will compete at the Class A state championship at the Augusta Civic Center; students received Scholastic Art & Writing awards and will be recognized at a March ceremony; and middle-school and elementary activities (drama club, Nordic skiing, coding) were noted.
In committee business, the Policy and Rules committee reported Resolution 18 to the board for first reading. Director Carlo said Resolution 18 amends policy KJA to clarify that parent and community groups operate independently as 501(c)(3) organizations, maintain separate bank accounts, and that several existing procedures and forms would be repealed as moot. The board acknowledged the resolution for its first reading and it will return for subsequent consideration.
What happens next: administrators will continue planning for remote instruction protocols and meal provision logistics; Resolution 18 will progress through the board’s review process and return for further readings as scheduled.
