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Biddeford committee hears opening-day reports, ELL supports and construction delays
Summary
District leaders reported wide-ranging opening-of-school updates: rising enrollment in kindergarten and high school activities, an ambassador program for multilingual students, temporary COT occupancy delays tied to fire-code work, and staff plans to monitor transportation and extracurricular participation for ELL students.
District administrators and school leaders briefed the school committee on opening-of-school operations, enrollment and supports for multilingual learners, and building work delaying full use of the Center of Technology.
Jeremy told the committee that kindergarten numbers have risen and that the district is tracking class sizes on a live spreadsheet. "Bus runs are not set in stone," he said, explaining that new housing and shifting ridership can require route adjustments and that the district has advertised aide positions to help with transportation needs for students who do not yet speak English.
Committee members asked how state subsidies flow into the district budget. Jeremy described the process as "a tricky piece," saying subsidy revenue appears in the district’s $2.79 report but budget authorizations constrain spending and the finance committee will monitor carryover and summer savings.
School principals gave opening reports. Margaret said Bitterford Primary had an "amazing" open house and reported 482 students enrolled so far and that adding a kindergarten teacher will push the school above 500. Lindsey, principal of the Biddeford Intermediate School, said the building was fully repainted over the summer and staff worked during weekends to prepare for the year. Scott Takoto reported a strong start at the middle school with about 550 students and highlighted an Apex Youth Connection bike-to-school program. Martha Jakes, principal of Biddeford High School, introduced Danielle Morris, the new director of the Alternative Pathway Center, and said the high school recorded over 900 students and 35 new multilingual (ML) students this summer; she noted the district has 22 student ambassadors to help new ML families.
Presenters also described Center of Technology logistics: vendors trained staff, kitchen hood work remains, and a fire-code issue in a vestibule is delaying an occupancy permit though teachers can begin setting up classrooms. Jeremy asked committee members to tentatively save Sept. 20, between 10 a.m. and noon, for a groundbreaking ceremony pending city permitting, and the committee discussed construction-site safety and the need to keep an egress door available when work is not active.
Board communications closed with updates about nearly 2,000 units of new housing in planning, a $250,000 playground fund, and the decision to close the Rotary skate park on insurer advice ahead of community planning for repairs. The committee adjourned by unanimous vote.
