Board authorizes one-year MOU with Kingswood Children’s Summer Theater; Carpenter School repairs on schedule

The Governor Wentworth Regional School Board voted Feb. 2 to authorize the district to enter a one-year Memorandum of Understanding with Kingswood Children’s Summer Theater (KCST) that would have the district employ a business manager to oversee KCST’s financial operations, contingent on final legal review and full reimbursement to the district.

Superintendent Caroline Arakelian presented the proposal and introduced KCST Executive Director Delina Bickford and Kingswood Arts Center Coordinator Scott Geissler, who spoke in support of the arrangement. The motion to authorize the MOU passed with one abstention (Tom Bickford) and the remaining members voting yes; the minutes record the contingency that the district must be fully reimbursed for any expenses incurred under the agreement and that legal review must be completed before execution.

Arakelian also updated the board on the Carpenter School project: Phase 1 repairs to first- and second-floor classrooms and related systems are on schedule for completion by March 1. She said Phase 2 — work in the gym and the remaining first- and second-floor classrooms — is planned for the summer. The monthly construction report from Bauen was not available for the meeting, and Arakelian said building staff will review plans to return remaining second-grade students to the building.

Board members discussed potential savings from new lighting and a separate concern about additional ceilings that appear to be failing; Dr. James Manning noted those ceilings may be covered by Primex. The MOU authorization and construction updates will be followed by legal review, contract finalization and continued project monitoring by district administration.