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RSU 23 Board unanimously approves school reopening plan; 12% of students choose remote learning
Summary
At its Aug. 20, 2020 meeting RSU 23’s Board unanimously approved the district’s reopening plan. Superintendent John Suttie said about 12% of students opted for remote learning; teachers return Aug. 27 and students return Sept. 8–10. Masks are required on buses.
The RSU 23 Board unanimously approved the district's School Reopening Plan at its meeting on Aug. 20, 2020, the board confirmed. Superintendent John Suttie said the district released reopening materials to parents on Aug. 7 and held three parent forums to shape the plan.
"We released our video, slide show, handbook and other forms around reopening to parents on August 7th," Superintendent John Suttie said, noting strong parent and staff collaboration. He told the board that teachers are scheduled to report back on Aug. 27 for training days focused on safety procedures such as lunch management, cleaning and mask breaks.
The plan documented that about 12% of K— students have opted for remote learning and 88% will attend in-person under the hybrid approach, Suttie reported. Students will return in phases: transition grades begin Tuesday, Sept. 8; all students are scheduled to be back by Thursday, Sept. 10.
The board also reviewed health and transportation protocols tied to the plan. Suttie reminded families to complete a transportation and technology survey that will inform protocols for buses and device distribution. "Masks are required on the bus as well as there will be hand sanitizer for when they get on and off the bus," he said.
The district postponed the start of fall athletics to Sept. 8 to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and to avoid jeopardizing the school start date, the superintendent explained.
The motion to approve the RSU 23 School Reopening Plan was made by Peter Flaherty and seconded by Christopher LaSalle; the board voted unanimously (Roll call: M. Violette, S. Beatty, P. Flaherty, C. LaSalle, D. Boudreau). The board did not record any dissenting votes.
Board members praised the administration's preparation. Peter Flaherty commended the reopening framework and stakeholder outreach, and other members thanked administrators and teachers for their summer work to prepare schools.
The board directed implementation steps including teacher training days and ongoing parent communication; no additional formal amendments to the plan were recorded at the meeting. The board adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
