Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
The board voted to join the state's early-childhood special-education cohort (taking services from Child Development Services), accepting a modest net local cost and access to state startup funding; administrators warned some startup items (van, equipment) depend on separate state pools and carry timing risks.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
Superintendent presented three budget tiers and recommended the middle option (roughly 7%), saying it preserves core services while addressing necessary special-education and maintenance costs; board members pressed for detail on EdTech reductions, class-size impacts and mitigation strategies.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
Administrators proposed a new 6–8 schedule that makes Spanish a core eighth-grade class and reduces seventh-grade language options; teachers and parents warned about staffing, continuity, larger unified-arts classes and loss of French for some students.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
Superintendent Gray presented three budget tiers for 2026–27 and recommended a middle option (about 7%) that reduces some staff positions—focused mainly at middle and high school levels—while preserving core elementary class sizes and special-education services.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
The board approved second readings of three policies including a new student-device rule that leaves implementation choices (earbuds, procedures) to principals; AED language was tightened from 'should' to 'will' after an exchange about spare paddles and nursing plans.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
RSU 05’s board approved a first read of a substantially rewritten bullying policy (JICK) and accompanying procedure that administrators say now contains the 11 statutory requirements including mandatory staff reporting, investigation steps, appeals and parent communication.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
Technology staff presented teacher-survey results on AI use and a recommended phased approach (task force/committee, teacher PD, pilot Day of AI curriculum, equity considerations); board members supported professional development and a standing committee to guide standards and rollout.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
After sustained public comment from students and teachers opposing a bell-to-bell phone ban and the purchase of Yonder pouches, the RSU 5 board brought a new cell-phone policy (JICJ) forward for first read and directed administrators to draft implementation procedures; the board agreed implementation will be staged for 07/01/2026.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
Life-skills ed tech Linda Farwell and special-education director described daily physical demands, high turnover, and recruitment challenges; district leaders said all students currently receive required services but multiple ed tech openings remain and compensatory measures may be needed.
Maine / School Districts / RSU 05
The board took first read of the automated external defibrillator (EBCF) policy, discussed requiring at least one AED per school and availability at school athletic events, and directed administrators to clarify procedural details and maintenance responsibilities.