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Resident criticizes district homework policy, reading program and late budget mailer at MSAD 60 public comment
Summary
A resident told the board that late budget mailings and district instructional choices (Chromebook use and reading program) harm students; board members countered that the budget book was posted online and available at the hearing and noted the district has been implementing science-of-reading practices.
During the designated public-input period, a resident identified as Matthew raised concerns about district instructional priorities and budget communications. He urged stricter expectations for on-time student work, questioned the value of heavy Chromebook usage, criticized the district’s reading program, and said district taxpayers had paid $20,000 for budget books that did not arrive at his household before the budget vote.
"We blew it and missed the deadline of getting these books to people before the budget vote," the resident said, adding the $20,000 figure and equating that amount to some Social Security annual payments to emphasize the budget’s local impact. Board members and staff responded: Audrey told the meeting that Edison Press fulfilled the timeline given to the vendor, that the complete budget book was posted online weeks earlier, and that printed copies were made available at the budget hearing for anyone who needed them.
Board members pushed back on broader characterizations about district outcomes, saying some families have students who succeed in college and careers. The chair ended the public-input exchange and the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.
