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Teachers urge RSU 04 to keep high‑school interventionist role, citing one‑on‑one work with dozens of students
Summary
Two Oakill High School English teachers told the board the proposed cut to the interventionist position would remove key one‑on‑one and small‑group supports; they cited over 70 unique students served this school year and urged the board to reconsider the elimination.
Jeremy Young, an English teacher at Oakill High School, told the RSU 04 Board that removing the high‑school interventionist would take away a resource that helps students access coursework and prevents failing grades. "I urge you to reconsider eliminating the position of interventionist so the students who need time support can receive it when it matters most," Young said.
Jennifer Carville, an Oakill English teacher who has worked with the interventionist for five years, described in‑class co‑teaching and individual literacy assessments that she said led to special education referrals and targeted supports. She said the interventionist "pulls countless numbers of students into literacy‑based testing" and that his work provides teachers specific data to modify instruction.
Both speakers emphasized that the interventionist's role combines assessment, small‑group instruction and relationship‑building, and that the position cannot simply be absorbed by classroom teachers. Neither the board nor staff announced a decision at the meeting; the item remained a matter for budget deliberation.
The public comment period is intended for residents to raise concerns to the board; Young and Carville used that period to present qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the interventionist's impact. The board thanked the speakers and proceeded to other agenda items.
