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Board hires inclusion specialist; approves short-term Title I staffing change
Summary
The RSU 11/MSAD 11 board voted to hire Hope St. Dennis as an inclusion specialist (salary $82,808 plus a $10,000 administrator stipend) and approved converting a Title I Ed Tech 3 role to a long-term certified substitute through June 15 to maintain services.
The RSU 11/MSAD 11 school board approved two personnel items on April 2: the appointment of Hope St. Dennis as an inclusion specialist at Gardner Area High School and a temporary staffing change in Title I to preserve services through the end of the school year.
Board members voted to hire Hope St. Dennis at an annual salary listed in the nomination as $82,808 with a $10,000 administrator stipend to reflect additional responsibilities. Director of Special Services Sarah Bolton explained the stipend is tied to serving as the LEA (local educational agency) representative at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and noted the weighty legal responsibilities tied to that role: "They can be the administrator ... that gives them the permission ... that they're able to commit funds on behalf of the district," Bolton said, emphasizing that the work involves federally protected documentation and compliance.
Board members discussed the position in detail, including prior audit history. Bolton and other staff credited focused special-education staffing and paperwork oversight with improving the district's audit standing: the district reported improved audit ratings after changes to compliance work.
Separately, the board approved shifting a vacant Title I Education Technician 3 position at Laura E. Richards School to a long-term certified substitute three days a week through June 15 to ensure student services continue. The board heard that Ed Tech 3 employees carry health insurance and benefits, while long-term substitutes do not; Business Manager Andrea Dish confirmed the funding for a short-term role exists and described Title I rules and credentialing needed to staff the assignment.
Both personnel actions were approved by motion and carried at the meeting.
Next steps: Hope St. Dennis will begin in the inclusion specialist role in September per the nomination; administrators will finalize the short-term substitute assignment to preserve Title I services through June 15.
