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Assistant superintendent highlights outdoor learning grant, solar survey and staffing gains
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Chris Endorff told the Biddeford School Committee the district has launched a summer 'Mean Outdoor Learning Initiative' serving about 44 Biddeford students, completed a rooftop survey for planned solar panels, and is largely staffed for fall; he also flagged Title IX policy updates and summer professional development totals.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Endorff told the Biddeford School Committee on July 10 that the district and partner districts won a grant to run the "Mean Outdoor Learning Initiative," a summer program that has enrolled about 44 Biddeford students and is staffed by six full-time summer employees.
Endorff said the program has taken students kayaking, to the beach and into the community garden and that organizers have partnered with local groups such as Seeds of Hope. "It's serving a lot of underprivileged students from the city of Biddeford who have been engaged in this program," he said.
On facilities, Endorff reported that Revision Energy performed a rooftop survey and structural measurements "to be able to map out the most effective way to install the solar panels" and that the contractor has submitted structural drawings to the city and an interconnection application to CMP and the Public Utilities Commission. "Everything with that project as of this moment is on track," he said.
Endorff also updated the committee on routine maintenance and staffing: painting has begun at district schools, facilities crews are preparing buildings for fall, and maintenance and custodial rosters are fully staffed for the first time in years. He credited recruitment work and recent compensation changes for improvements in hiring.
He flagged administrative work on policy as well: the administration will ask the policy committee to convene a brief Zoom meeting ahead of the August meeting so the board can consider a Title IX policy revision required by regulations taking effect Aug. 1. He said the changes largely concern protections and processes for pregnant students and employees.
Endorff closed by noting the district's summer professional development program: more than 175 staff from Saco, Biddeford and Dayton have participated, and the district has provided roughly 1,500 cumulative hours of learning so far.
The committee did not take formal action on the report; members asked Endorff to add kindergarten and pre-K registration figures to the next meeting agenda.
