The RSU 78 Board of Education met on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

One action item was presented at the start of the meeting: approval for three RLRS students and their music teacher to attend NEMFA, an ensemble music festival and competition in March 2024. The trip passed with a unanimous vote.

Levi Robinson of RHR Smith & Company presented the annual school audit. He shared that RSU 78 is in line with other districts he is reviewing and is in good shape.

Shawn Russell and Alison Loud presented on two technology updates. The first was that Shawn, Ali, and Abby Thompson attended the annual Association of Technology Educators in Maine (ACTEM) conference in October. They attended many different sessions, all of which were informative. Shawn and Abby also presented a session on integrating a digital citizenship program in a K-12 environment. Shawn also shared that RSU 78 has received a grant for a new, updated 3D printer, and Ali is working with classroom teachers in integrating 3D print into the curriculum. Lastly, Ali and Shawn hosted a STEAM Night for grades 3-5. Spots were limited to 16 and they filled up fast! Students used Lego Spike kits (provided by a state grant) to build a car and practice basic coding to have their vehicles travel through different maps. There is interest in future STEAM nights, so stay tuned!

Heidi Deery presented an update on the counseling services provided by RSU 78. Current school counselor Delaney Arbore has been a great addition and is rapidly getting up to speed on working in a K-12 setting. The team is thinking creatively about the best way to provide critical social and emotional support to students, as well as prioritizing career education, post-secondary counseling, and aspiration work.

Board Chair Mary Richards wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and invited board members Bob Greene and Deb Ladd to share about the recent MSMA conference they attended as well as the Drummond and Woodsum conference that Mrs Ladd attended on updates to school law. Please see the recording for the full discussion.

Superintendent Campbell shared that RSU 78 hosted a successful Veterans’ Day lunch. Mrs Campbell leaves the following day to attend the National Forum to Advance Rural Education. She is attending this conference along with the superintendent from Rumford, Maine.

Principal Seth Laliberte shared that RSU 78 is trying to stay on top of the changes in technology and AI as referenced by Bob Green. Staff are doing professional development around AI and sharing their learning with teachers inside and outside the district. Currently, Tuesday early release time is being used to dive into the ELA curriculum, testing data, and standards alignment. Parent teacher conferences are underway, and middle school’s participation in the MYAN conference, and high school student’s participation in the leadership conference in Washington, DC were all successful and impactful.

Student representative Nichole Lemay (class of 2025) shared that the DC leadership trip was great. In addition to the conference students and their chaperones visited national landmarks and museums and toured American University. Current class fundraisers are Kettle Corn and holiday wreaths. Juniors and seniors are planning what dual-enrollment college courses they will take for the second semester, and the juniors are planning a Sweetheart Dance for February 2024,

Committee Reports included updates from Policy Committee, next meeting is Monday, December 4th at 3:00pm at the school; Finance Committee, which covered the audit report and action items for later in the meeting; Facilities Committee, who updated on walkway lights, fuel tank concerns, a successful elevator inspection, and the approval of a final site for the greenhouse; and Negotiations Committee who shared that there have been three meetings and both teams are moving forward slowly and thoughtfully.

There was one retirement: Tony Clark. We wish Tony all the best in his sunny, warm retirement! There was one appointment: Keith Jackson will transfer to Tony’s old position. A new night custodian position will be posted soon. There was one appointment: Delaney Arbore for middle school boys basketball coach.

There were three action items: approval of the Foster Tech Co-op Agreement (passed unanimously), a revision of senior privileges in the Student/Parent Handbook (passed unanimously), and numerous policy revisions, all of which passed unanimously. Please see the recording for full discussion.

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 5:30pm at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School in the multi-purpose room.

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