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Board approves locally funded Aspire coordinator position to sustain career‑pathway work
Summary
After an Aspire program presentation, RSU 25’s board voted to add a locally funded full‑time community outreach and aspirations coordinator to sustain activities previously supported by Melmac and JMG grants; the position will be outside teacher certification rules and charged to student support services.
The RSU 25 School Board approved creating a full‑time, locally funded position — titled community outreach and aspirations coordinator — to sustain the district’s Aspire initiative after multi‑year grant support ends.
Aspire staff presented data (including 115 field trips, more than 3,000 books purchased for pre‑K–grade 8 and dozens of internships and career talks) and argued that staffing the work under the district budget is the most sustainable path forward. Aspire staff said the role would focus on community outreach, business partnerships, internship connections and helping teachers integrate real‑world learning into curriculum.
Board discussion clarified the proposed structure: the position will be locally funded and placed outside the 279 certification rules used for certain student support or guidance positions, meaning it will not be a teacher contract position. The presenter said this provides hiring flexibility, allowing candidates who do not hold active teacher certification to be considered while still enabling those with relevant certificiations to apply.
The superintendent moved to add the position for fiscal year 2025–26 as presented; the board voted in favor. Staff said the new position will be part of the student support services cost center, with a modest operating budget to cover supplies and outreach. Board members emphasized the goal of making Aspire activities sustainable without depending solely on external grants.
Next steps: administration will establish the job description officially, create a hiring timeline and bring required budget details for the new position to the board as the district prepares its FY25/26 budget.
