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Board approves four field trips, reinstates JV softball and accepts donation for coach
Summary
The RSU 11/MSAD 11 board approved a bundle of four field trips (First Robotics championship, All‑State Music Festival, GSDA overnight camp, and an Iceland trip), reinstated the JV softball team funded by boosters, and accepted a $1,500 donation toward the JV coach stipend.
At its April 2 meeting the RSU 11/MSAD 11 school board approved four field trips, agreed to reinstate the high-school JV softball team and accepted a private donation to cover coaching costs.
Athletic Director Nate Sterner presented four requests: the Gardner Iron Tigers robotics team to the New England First Robotics Championship in West Springfield, Massachusetts (April 15–18); the Maine All‑State Band/Orchestra/Choir music festival at the University of Maine (May 14–16); a GSDA (Gay‑Straight Diversity Alliance) overnight trip to Pine Tree Camp in Rome, Maine (May 8–10); and an abroad trip to Reykjavik and the South Shore of Iceland during April vacation 2028. The board approved the four trips as a bundled motion and discussed funding sources: robotics and GSDA travel is largely fundraising-based, the All‑State music trip is funded by the MSAB 11 co‑curricular account and the Iceland trip will be participant-funded.
The board also voted to reinstate the JV softball program after participation numbers rebounded. Boosters committed up to $3,500 for travel, umpires and part of a coaching stipend; an additional $1,500 donation from McGee Construction was accepted to offset the coach's pay. Business Manager Andrea Dish confirmed donated funds will be run through district payroll so the coach will be a district employee and paid by the district.
Board members clarified transportation arrangements and that district policy does not provide general transportation for field trips; some trips will use fundraising and participant funds to cover travel. All motions carried during the meeting.
Next steps: Fundraising and logistics will proceed so that teams and participants can finalize travel arrangements; athletic and co‑curricular staff will report back as plans are implemented.
