LISBON — School Committee members spoke with Oak Hill’s Adult Education director about their combined programs during Monday night’s meeting.
Oak Hill staff have begun to hold adult education classes every Tuesday and Thursday at Gartley Street School, and are looking to extend to other days during the week in the future.
“Our goal was to focus on the state-supported programs to try to get some subsidies back into the Adult Ed program in Lisbon,” Oak Hill Adult Education Director Jim Palmer said.
These programs include courses to help residents get a high school diploma or prepare to take the HiSET exam, as well as topics on college transitions, technology and literacy.
Palmer also talked about upcoming courses that are popular at Oak Hill that he is planning to bring to Lisbon this winter and next spring. Substitute teaching, defensive driving and hunting safety are among them.
“I’ve heard nothing but positive things about the adult education program,” Superintendent Richard Green said. “When we first started having this conversation, we weren’t sure if the state was going to recognize the combined programs, but (the program) has been doing a great job.”
Also Monday, the School Committee approved spending $27,822 from Capital Reserve Funds to update the video security system at Philip W. Sugg Middle School.
The Town Council must first approve this motion before action is taken.
A new security system was also installed at Lisbon Community School this year.
“We went from eight to 10 cameras that were installed in 2004, to 36 now, including interior and exterior systems,” Technology Director James Churchill said.
In other business:
• Traci Austin and Kathi Yergin were re-elected as chairwoman and vice chairwoman, respectively, to the School Committee; and
• Lisbon, along with RSU 4, submitted an application to the Department of Education for a regional leadership center. “I’m anxious to see if our application will be approved,” Green said. “But for us that could be a significant revenue increase.” If approved, Green also suggested creating language in the agreement with Lisbon and RSU 4 so that the districts could move away from the center if they want to.
The next School Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at the Lisbon Town Office.
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