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RSU 23 board keeps schools open, approves social‑media policy and schedules budget workshop
Summary
At a Jan. 21, 2021 virtual meeting, RSU 23 Superintendent John Suttie reported in‑person learning has continued four days a week despite some COVID cases; the board approved Policy BEB on social media, heard technology and food‑service reports, and set budget workshop dates.
The RSU 23 School Board met virtually on Jan. 21, 2021. Superintendent John Suttie opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and reported the district has maintained four days per week of in‑person learning since returning from the holiday break, despite some positive COVID‑19 cases. “Schools are proving to be a safer place for kids,” Suttie said, and he noted state data showing lower transmission in schools than in the surrounding community.
Suttie told the board the state has shifted decision‑making for sports, theater and music to local authorities and said the district will seek to create socially distanced opportunities for students; he also moved the board’s budget workshop to Tuesday the 23rd at 6:00 p.m. and said the next month’s regular meeting will be moved from the 18th to the 25th because of school vacation. Suttie announced a new “COVID19 resources” tab on the district website and thanked staff members, including Gwyneth Maguire and the technology team, for getting it live.
Pam Pothier, the district’s technology director, briefed the board on the department’s pandemic response. She said technology staff addressed device and bandwidth shortages, deployed devices and state‑issued hotspots to students who lacked internet access, upgraded aging equipment and implemented new security and monitoring tools for student devices. Pothier credited teachers, support staff and the district tech team for enabling remote learning and classroom continuity.
Food Service Director Caroline Trinder reported new meal volumes and delivery efforts. “We have served so far this year 17,422 breakfasts and 24,167 lunches,” Trinder said, adding that the district has served more than 3,700 additional lunches compared with the same period last year and attributed the rise to universal free meals. She said transportation partners helped deliver meals to families unable to pick them up and that the district has continued its fresh fruit and vegetable program by sending items home weekly.
On policy, the board approved policy BEB, “Board Social Media Use,” on a motion by Michelle Violette and a second from Sally Beatty; the minutes record the vote as unanimous with D. Moutsatsos, P. Flaherty, M. Violette, S. Beatty and D. Boudreau voting in favor.
Committee reports highlighted facilities and finance priorities. Building committee chair Peter Flaherty described several maintenance projects and capital needs, calling out a large upcoming high school roof project with an estimated cost of about $250,000 and a Jameson kitchen roof repair estimated at $26,000. Finance chair Dave Boudreau reported the finance committee met that day, added March 25 as an extra budget workshop date, said the district has expended CRF‑1 and CRF‑2 funds, and noted $204,000 remains available from another grant that need not be spent until 2023. The finance committee also approved a $5,000 retirement incentive for staff retiring this year, with a March 1 opt‑in deadline.
Board members used the remarks period to thank employees for navigating pandemic conditions and to acknowledge Cynthia Potenzia, the Human Resources Coordinator, whose last day was announced as the following day; a replacement is scheduled to begin Feb. 8. Michelle Violette left the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
A motion to adjourn by Donna Moutsatsos, seconded by Sally Beatty, passed and the meeting ended at 7:02 p.m. Minutes were prepared by Helene Stevens and transcribed by Superintendent John Suttie.
