Orono athletics director highlights new programs and high participation rates

Paul Bruner, Orono Public School District's activities and athletics director, told the board the program exists to "complement and enhance what the district is doing" and stressed participation and student development as primary goals.

Bruner reviewed program metrics and offerings for the 2025–26 school year. He said the district supports roughly 28 high-school-league programs with multiple team levels and reported about 1,200 total participations and roughly 750 unduplicated participants; he also cited an overall participation figure the presentation described as approximately 95 percent. Bruner emphasized new offerings in recent years, including debate, robotics, boys volleyball, girls wrestling, girls flag football and mock trial, and said these expansions equate to more than 100 new opportunities for students.

Bruner framed the department's goals around character development and community connection: "If we develop better humans, we're gonna get better outcomes and results," he said. He noted that over the last two years the district hosted college signing days with 49 senior student athletes signing to play sports in college. He also described logistical demands: the department supports roughly 1,500 events each school year, requiring officials, event staff and facility coordination.

Board members asked what support the department needs; Bruner said that alignment across the district and clear communications about program outcomes (connection, belonging and character) help set expectations and strengthen community understanding. He also acknowledged challenges around managing playing time and competitive decision-making while maintaining inclusive experiences for all students.

Bruner invited the public to attend upcoming events and highlighted the district's spring showcase and athletic schedules.