Saco School Board approves five‑year Thornton Academy contract; members highlight free‑lunch provision

The Saco School Board voted 7–0 to approve a five‑year contract with Thornton Academy that board members said includes a free‑lunch provision for Saco students and runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

School board member Roach moved to approve the contract and School board member Truman seconded. In a roll call, members Warnock, Prebble, Richards, Roach, Kidder, Truman and Johnston voted yes; the motion passed unanimously.

School board member Truman, who spoke at length in favor of the agreement, said the contract is "really good" and emphasized its equity impact. "I'm very happy that Saco kids are getting free lunch," Truman said, noting that other Maine districts and academies provide similar benefits. He added that "1,200 to $1,500 a year is still a lot of out of pocket money for a family," underscoring the board's continued concern about family costs even as the contract expands meal access.

Roach asked the superintendent and Thornton Academy to coordinate how and when parents would be told that funding will appear on student cards and suggested using upcoming events such as the eighth‑grade graduation to inform families. He also raised career‑and‑technical programming, urging that the contract not "hard code" full tuition for certain offerings and that Thornton Academy promote COT/VOC opportunities in its student materials.

The contract text and the motion record in the meeting identify a guaranteed 3% increase in the Insured Value Factor (IVF) for capital projects and building life‑cycle considerations. Roach asked staff to request a list of facility needs from Thornton Academy that could use that funding, citing examples such as elevator or accessibility upgrades and restroom improvements.

School board member Johnston thanked the negotiating team and praised Superintendent Ray, saying he had "done an excellent job of navigating us through the process." Roach also clarified during discussion that Superintendent Ray has served as the full superintendent since 2022, after questions at an earlier meeting had labeled him as interim.

Several members recommended stronger, regular collaboration with Thornton Academy. School board member Preble proposed inviting "Renny" and a representative of Thornton Academy's board of trustees to a workshop over the summer or early autumn and suggested quarterly check‑ins to improve communication and address items such as suspensions, free lunch implementation and other student needs.

After the vote the board set follow‑up actions for staff and Thornton Academy to coordinate parent communication about meal funding and to explore a schedule of workshops and check‑ins. The meeting adjourned after a unanimous vote at 07:13.

What happened: The board approved the contract with Thornton Academy (07/01/2026–06/30/2031) by a 7–0 vote; members emphasized the contract's free‑lunch provision, instructions to staff to coordinate communication with families, and plans to hold workshops with Thornton Academy leadership.

What’s next: Staff was asked to coordinate timing and messaging with Thornton Academy about meal funding on student cards and to pursue scheduled workshops with Thornton Academy representatives and trustees.