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Parents, administrators and committee restore staff for Rams/Grama alternative program after emotional public testimony
Summary
Following multiple parent testimonials about dramatic improvements among participating students, the RSU 40 budget committee voted to add a teacher and ed-tech position to the Rams/Grama alternative-education program and asked administrators to produce logistics options for sustaining the program under current budget constraints.
Parents and administrators told the RSU 40/MSAD 40 budget committee that the Rams (sometimes called Grama in the transcript) alternative-education program has been a "game changer" for students who did not thrive in a traditional middle-school model, and the committee voted to restore staff to the program.
Why it matters: Committee members said the program helps keep vulnerable students in school and reduces the likelihood of costly downstream special-education placements. After more than an hour of testimony from multiple families — and program history from staff — the committee approved restoring one teacher and one ed-tech position for the program and asked district leaders to report back with transportation, scheduling and certification options.
What happened: multiple parents described significant positive changes for their children after enrollment in Rams. One parent said, "She is wanting to come to school every day now," while an administrator described Rams as a long-running intervention program that pairs small cohorts with hands-on learning and community-based experiences. Committee members expressed urgency about ensuring placements for the seven students currently enrolled and volunteered to pursue creative scheduling and partnerships with the high school.
On the record: Joshua Lowell, identified in the meeting as the long-time leader of the Rams program, described the program’s structure and history and noted staffing constraints (two educators for the middle-school model and transportation requirements that include a commercial driver license for at least one staff member for some field activities). Parents and members emphasized the program’s non-special-education status for most students while noting some students have IEPs.
Next steps: Administrators were directed to investigate feasible program models that fit the district’s shifting middle-school schedule, transportation limits, and certification requirements and to report cost and scheduling options to the full board. The committee’s staffing motion passed and was included in the operating-budget recommendation sent to the full board.
Quotes from the meeting: "I have seen a total 360 in my kid. She is wanting to come to school every day now." — Mikaela Olsen, parent "We understand their needs. They're our Rams kids." — Joshua Lowell, Rams program lead
The committee’s restoration vote was procedural: it adds the positions to the committee’s recommended operating budget; hiring and final program design will follow further administrative study and board approval.
