RSU 73 board approves updated handbooks, gives principals suspension authority and signs off on substitute pay through December

The RSU 73 school board on an unanimous roll-call vote approved updated student handbooks for Spruce Mountain High School, Spruce Mountain Elementary School and Spruce Mountain Primary School, authorized school administrators to use short-term suspensions and approved substitute pay rates through Dec. 30, 2024.

Why it matters: The handbook changes set daily schedules, attendance and conduct expectations for the coming school year; the suspension authorizations and substitute‑pay decision affect day‑to‑day discipline responses and staffing costs.

Board action and context: The board voted to adopt the high‑school handbook after TJ Plourde, principal of Spruce Mountain High School, summarized several changes, including a return to a two‑lunch bell schedule, removal of references to the Springboard assessment, and a clarified school‑wide late‑work procedure with an accompanying flowchart for staff. "That's really the three or four major changes that we have," Plourde said as he reviewed the document. The motion carried on a roll-call vote.

The elementary handbook was approved after Pat (elementary administration) described schedule adjustments to insert a 30‑minute intervention block, shifting start time to 7:45 a.m. and extending dismissal to 2:10 p.m., and after administrators added bullying‑policy language and revised a behavior hierarchy tied to field trips.

The primary school handbook received board approval after Darcy (primary administration) presented a linked consequence matrix and said she wants a no‑tolerance approach to physical aggression so students who harm staff or peers would not return to class the same day.

Discipline authority: The board also authorized specified school administrators to suspend students for the 2024–25 year: TJ Plourde, Mark Keller (assistant principal), and Christopher Taggart (middle‑school principal) may suspend students for up to 10 days for grades 6–12; Patrick St. Clair (elementary principal) and Dashi Schenck (primary principal) may suspend students for up to three days for preK–5. The motion on the 10‑day authority was moved by Robin and seconded by Don Emery and carried by roll call; board members noted the difference in days is statutory.

Substitute pay and budget notes: Superintendent Scott explained the district was not proposing broad increases to substitute pay at this time other than pay tied to the certified teacher per‑diem schedule; he said RSU 73's substitute rates are at or above surrounding districts. The board approved the substitute rates through Dec. 30, 2024; school leaders said they will review rates in January if shortages persist.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to enter executive session to discuss legal rights/duties pursuant to 1 MRSA 4056 E — approved (roll call). - Accept June 27, 2024 meeting minutes as amended (name correction: Patty Henges) — approved (roll call). - Accept resignation of Michael Hyland, gifted and talented teacher — approved (roll call). - Approve Spruce Mountain High School handbook — approved (roll call). - Approve Spruce Mountain Elementary School handbook — approved (roll call). - Approve Spruce Mountain Primary School handbook — approved (roll call). - Authorize administrators to suspend students up to 10 days (grades 6–12) — approved (roll call). - Authorize administrators to suspend students up to 3 days (preK–5) — approved (roll call). - Approve substitute rates through Dec. 30, 2024 — approved (roll call).

What comes next: The district will implement the new handbooks and schedules at the start of the school year; administrators said they will monitor attendance, discipline outcomes and substitute availability and return to the board for updates if conditions change. The board scheduled its next meeting for Sept. 12 at the elementary school and will include a building tour.

(Reporting based solely on RSU 73 meeting transcript.)