Board authorizes Lakes Region course-sharing consortium and joins special education consortium

The Governor Wentworth Regional School Board on May 5 authorized the superintendent to enter a proposed Lakes Region High School Consortium and voted to join a Lakes Region Special Education Consortium.

Superintendent Caroline Arakelian described a course-sharing arrangement that would include 13 Lakes Region high schools to expand student access to a wider selection of courses. Board discussion touched on class sizes, transportation costs, which district would hold discipline responsibility, Special Education coverage, scheduling compatibility, state aid and standardized testing. Following discussion, the board moved to authorize the superintendent to enter the Consortium Agreement; the motion (moved by Dr. Elizabeth Sheckler, seconded by Mary Schillereff) passed as recorded.

Arakelian also presented a Memorandum of Agreement for a Lakes Region Special Education Consortium intended to develop a collaborative regional approach for serving students with significant special education needs and to explore more efficient contracted related services. The board voted to join the Special Education Consortium (motion moved by Ms. Schillereff, seconded by Dr. Manning), and the motion passed as recorded.

Why it matters: Course sharing can expand curriculum options for students in small or rural high schools while the Special Education consortium aims to consolidate expertise and potentially reduce costs for specialized services. Board discussion recorded operational concerns—transportation and special education responsibilities—that the superintendent and participating districts will need to address during implementation.