SALEM TOWNSHIP — Regional School Unit 58 directors Thursday night heard new Superintendent Erica Brouillet’s plan for positive relationships and community collaboration.
“It’s important that you understand what I’m doing, and how I’m doing it,” she said.
During July and August, Brouillet will meet with all administrators several times in daylong work sessions to plan the 2014-15 year for teachers and students. They will take a close look at district data, including several years of student test scores and other kinds of educational data available.
The process, she said, will help identify specific areas of academic strengths and weaknesses in the district before the school year starts. The first day of school for grades K-9 is Sept. 2. All grades will be in session Sept. 3.
Brouillet said her goal is to develop meaningful relationships with staff, students, community leaders and businesses. She plans to meet with selectmen in Kingfield, Avon, Phillips and Strong, and suggested she also would be willing to attend and participate in community events.
Directors also discussed the option to save money and time by offering the district’s student handbook electronically. Some families don’t have time or have Internet access, Phillips director Faith Richard said.
Directors approved to continue to send a paper copy home with students.
Teachers will take the Smarter Balanced testing system in May. The Common Core-based exam has replaced the New England Common Assessment Program, according to Strong Elementary School Principal Felecia Pease.
The Maine Department of Education’s website says the “computer-adaptive design is more engaging and enables more accurate assessment of student learning. If a student is struggling with questions, the test automatically moves to easier questions, pinpointing what standards the student has mastered and which they have not. If the student is getting all the questions right, the test adjusts upward.
By leveraging resources with 25 other states, Maine will save considerably on its assessments and more importantly, develop higher quality assessments and share considerable resources for effective teaching and learning.”
In other news, directors authorized a 10-cent increase in school lunch prices, with elementary school prices at $2.30 and high school at $2.55.
Directors also reviewed and approved a list of several grade reassignments for teachers: Jodi Badershall and Kerri Phillips will teach grade 1, Melissa Hoisington will teach grade 2 and Christi Mitman will teach grade 4. All will stay at their school.
Special education teacher Bonnie Kinney will transfer to Kingfield Elementary School. Laureen Olsen, formerly the district’s half-time director of Special Education, will work as a full-time director this coming year.
Isaac Raymond will teach high school mathematics while Monica Clark is on a year’s leave. Laura White will serve as registrar and secretary for the Guidance Department, and Principal Marco Aliberti will hire a replacement for the high school secretary’s position. Aliberti will hire a secretary to take White’s position.
Andrea Ferrari, formerly the Kingfield Elementary School principal, will work as a Title 1 teacher and literacy coach. The district administrator will begin the search for a new principal.
Tabitha Riendeau will teach special education at Mt. Abram High School, and James Black will be the high school’s dean of students and athletic director. Selina Warren will teach second grade in Kingfield. Kawika Thompson will teach physical education to Phillips and Strong elementary students.
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