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RSU 12 board approves greenhouse grant, fundraiser and program moves; joins Mid Coast adult‑ed collaborative
Summary
The RSU 12 board approved a Chelsea Elementary fundraiser, accepted a Friends of the Outdoor Classroom greenhouse grant for Windsor, agreed to join the Mid Coast adult‑education collaborative (with implementation next fiscal year), and approved moving a life‑skills special‑education program from Chelsea to Whitefield.
The RSU 12 board voted on several consent and new‑business items, approving a Chelsea Elementary spring fundraiser, accepting a Friends of the Outdoor Classroom greenhouse grant for Windsor, approving Mid Coast Adult and Community Education membership, and relocating an expansion of the life‑skills special‑education program from Chelsea to Whitefield.
The consent agenda was adopted by voice vote after a motion from Monique and a second from De Myers. Individual items taken from the consent calendar were then addressed in the regular agenda.
The board approved the Chelsea Elementary spring fundraiser after members praised the school’s fundraising efforts. The Friends of the Outdoor Classroom grant — described as completing an existing outdoor‑classroom project at Windsor and including irrigation work and a greenhouse structure — was presented as written by Rosana and approved by the board; the superintendent reminded the board that grants over $10,000 require board action.
Board members moved to allow Booth Bay and Wiscasset to join the Mid Coast Adult and Community Education collaborative. Discussion noted the plan is unlikely to launch immediately; members said approving membership now would permit planning and potential revenue‑generating programs (driver education, bus‑driver training, vocational courses) in the next fiscal year.
The board also approved relocating and expanding the district’s life‑skills special‑education program from Chelsea to Whitefield after enrollment grew rapidly (from one to several students within weeks). The superintendent and special‑education staff said Whitefield has appropriate classroom space and that related services (speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy) will continue to be provided; the expansion required hiring two teachers.
Later in the meeting, the board approved a statutory transition that will make RSU 12 responsible for Child Development Services (CDS) duties for young children with special needs over a multi‑year period. Staff estimated the district could be responsible for roughly 46 students and said the district may need an additional coordinator or part‑time administrator to manage the new CDS responsibilities.
Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda: adopted by voice vote (motion: Monique; second: De Myers). - Chelsea Elementary spring fundraiser: approved by voice vote. - Friends of Outdoor Classroom greenhouse grant (Windsor): approved by voice vote. - Mid Coast Adult & Community Education membership (Booth Bay, Wiscasset): motion approved; implementation likely FY27. - Move life‑skills special‑education program from Chelsea to Whitefield: motion approved (requires two new hires for the expanded program). - Approve CES to SAU transition (CDS responsibilities): approved; transition planned over multiple years.
All motions were recorded as voice votes in the meeting minutes; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
