Board approves short-term funding for growing junior-high drama program, asks staff to cost a stipend for next year

Parents and staff told the Winslow School Board that junior-high drama participation has increased substantially and that additional support is needed to sustain the program. Caleb Warren, the junior-high drama adviser, said participation has grown to about 30 students and described administrative and logistical strain for a single adviser: "My worry is that if it stays at one adviser, students will start to lose interest in the program," he told the board.

Board members heard that a vacant schedule-C stipend position exists this year and voted to allow administrators to use that funding to provide immediate support. The board also asked staff to prepare a job description and cost estimate for adding a schedule-C stipend for next year’s budget.

An additional statement from Winslow Elementary music director Carrie Whitney described similar growth at the elementary level — 67 initially signed up for the WES musical, with 60 remaining through the season — and urged approval of an assistant to sustain the program. "The need for an assistant is essential for this program to continue," the written statement said.

Board members framed the action as two parts: short-term use of existing funds to meet current operational needs, and a budget-time decision on whether to add a recurring stipend. Administrators said they would return with the job description and costs during the budget presentations in January and February.

The board approved the short-term funding and the request to study a stipend for next year.