The School Committee welcomed members of the GHS Civil Rights Team to the January 10 regular meeting. Students invited the committee to attend the school’s Unity and Diversity Day on January 24. As a program designed to promote understanding of different cultures, religions, and opinions, topics will include “Free Speech or Hate Speech” and “Ask a Muslim.”
During the time for public comment, 11 parents and teachers spoke in favor of retaining the current K-5 school configuration citing many of the arguments for neighborhood schools covered in the report of the study committee. The configuration issue was not on the SC agenda, but was the subject of a discussion workshop that followed the meeting (See Page 1).
Superintendent Heather Perry announced that the F19 budget process is underway. She said that the district should not expect the increase in State funding that happened last year and that there may even be a decrease.
School Committee member Kate Livingston expressed the committee’s appreciation to the district’s bus drivers, maintenance workers, and Public Works for their efforts during the snow and cold weather.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Record presented an update on the district’s formative and summative assessment policies and test results compared to other districts in Maine and the nation. Gorham is “consistently higher than the state average,” he said, “although we
have the shortest school day in the region.” He expressed concern that it is difficult to track long-term trends because the State keeps changing the tests used for summative assessments.
The Committee unanimously voted to approve changes in the The Post Secondary Enrollment Options Policy that updates language based on Proficiency Based Learning (PBL) requirements.
The capital portions of Portland Arts&Technology High School (PATHS) and Westbrook Regional Vocational Center (WRVC) budgets were approved (7-0). Committee members would like to see an increase in participation by Gorham students in these programs. Kyle Currier said that she was glad there are more programs that appeal to girls.
An increase in the FY18 budget of up to $15,000 was approved (7-0) for a temporary position to assist the Special Education Director.
The committee approved moving $124,500 from the Capital Improvements budget (CPIS) allocated for HVAC upgrades at the middle school to pay for design work and site surveys necessary before portable classrooms can be erected at the three elementary schools and the high school. This did not include funds for several other small projects also proposed by Norm Justice, Facilities and Transportation Director.
A separate proposal to allocate funds for engineering work on the bus loop at Narragansett School was defeated (5-2, Livingston, Whitehead).