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RSU 23 board approves calendar changes, Director of Instruction job description and allows unloaded muskets for reenactment
Summary
At its March 16, 2017 meeting in Old Orchard Beach, the RSU 23 board approved using March 24 as a student day and April 14 as a half day to cover snow-day makeups, adopted a Director of Instruction job description, and approved allowing unloaded muskets at a Civil War reenactment. The board also heard an enrollment study showing a 10‑year decline of about 200 students.
The RSU 23 Board met March 16, 2017, at Old Orchard Beach Town Hall and approved calendar adjustments, a new job description and several routine items.
Board Chair David Boudreau called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and the board unanimously approved the minutes of the Feb. 16 meeting following a motion by Stu Hogan and a second from Michelle Violette.
In a pair of calendar votes, the board approved a motion by Michelle Violette, seconded by Stu Hogan, that makes the March 24 teacher workshop day a student day and designates April 14 as a half student day to serve as a snow-day makeup. The board acted after Superintendent John Suttie told members the district had used its seventh snow day this winter and that "if we have more snow days we will have to go back to the drawing board so that the last day is Friday, June 23." The motions passed unanimously.
The board also unanimously approved a Director of Instruction job description on a motion by Stu Hogan and a second from Michelle Violette.
In other formal action, the board voted to allow unloaded muskets in Loranger for an upcoming Civil War reenactment after a motion by Michelle Violette, seconded by Stu Hogan. That motion also passed unanimously.
Superintendent Suttie reported that a population and enrollment study completed by Rebecca Wondell found the district had "lost 200 students" over the last 10 years but projects that enrollment will sustain and grow between 2017 and 2027. He said the district has commissioned a wetland study by Mr. Jacobs to determine buildable acreage near the ballpark; that study can be performed during a single week of the year and is scheduled for April. Suttie said the new school building application is almost finished and that he would meet with building administrators before sending it to Jeff Larimer. He reminded the public that the budget hearing is scheduled for April 10 at the town hall and that the April board meeting was moved to April 11.
Student representative Gabe Reed reported winter sports had concluded, called the girls' basketball season the program's best-ever and said the K–5 winter carnival raised $400.
Committee reports included a finance update noting ongoing budget workshops and a building-committee report from Peter that the team reviewed materials from Siemens, plans to tour LMS and Jameson, and will review the population study next month.
Board members used the remarks portion to recognize staff and students. Peter singled out music program contributors Trevor Lavenbein and Mark Manduca. Chair Boudreau said the May 18 regular meeting will be changed to May 9. The board adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Feb. 16, 2017 minutes — motion by Stu Hogan, seconded by Michelle Violette; outcome: approved unanimously. - Make March 24 a student day and April 14 a half student day (snow-day makeups) — motion by Michelle Violette, seconded by Stu Hogan; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approve Director of Instruction job description — motion by Stu Hogan, seconded by Michelle Violette; outcome: approved unanimously. - Allow unloaded muskets in Loranger for Civil War reenactment — motion by Michelle Violette, seconded by Stu Hogan; outcome: approved unanimously.
Next steps: The district will conduct the wetland study in April, complete and submit the new school building application for review, and hold a public budget hearing April 10.
