POLAND — The RSU 16 School Committee approved a policy Monday that doesn’t require community-fundraising or nonprofit groups to have liability insurance in order to use elementary schools in Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland.
Small groups, such as historical societies in need of space for conducting meetings or discussions would also be exempt.
The policy proposed in March would have required such insurance, and that struck a nerve with community members. Minot selectmen said it went against traditional use of local schools and would be a roadblock to residents getting together for fundraisers for people dealing with adverse circumstances.
All for-profit groups, outside groups or performers will be required to show proof of liability insurance, as would anything involving athletics not connected to school activities.
Assistant Superintendent Kim Brandt said the revised policy represents work to balance the needs of the communities and the needs of the school district.
“It’s a great compromise,” committee member Tina Love said.
The committee also reached a compromise in a transportation policy regarding bus stops for children who attend M & M Pre-School and Childcare just over the Mechanic Falls town line in Oxford.
According to Mechanic Falls resident Paula Stotts, whose step-mother runs the business, and Penny Jackson, a grandmother of a preschool student, nine of the 14 children attending the day care go to school at Elm Street School. Four or five of them would be attending the Elm Street preschool. Recently they were told the bus would no longer pick up students up at the turnaround in Mechanic Falls just feet from the day care. Apparently they had been told the children would have to walk about an eighth of a mile along Route 121 to the nearest pickup point.
After considerable discussion, Superintendent Tina Meserve determined that the committee could allow pickup at the turnaround if the person who owns that property agrees to accept the liability.
The committee voted to allow the children to be picked up at the turnaround, provided the owner so agreed.
In other business, the committee elected Mary Martin as chairwoman and Jack Wiseman as vice chairman.
Meserve also noted that Joe Parent, school committee member from Poland, had resigned and that the Poland Board of Selectmen has been notified so that it might appoint a replacement to serve until next April’s town elections.
Meserve introduced Kim Spencer, new principal of Minot Consolidated School, to the board. Spencer had served as assistant principal at Greene Central School from 1995 to 2014. For five years before that she was assistant special education director. Spencer replaces Arthur Reid, who retired in June.
Meserve said school staff will meet Monday, Aug. 25, for a workshop. The first day of school for students in kindergarten through seventh grade and grade nine will be Wednesday, Aug. 27. They will be joined by grades eight, 10, 11 and 12 Thursday, Aug. 28. Preschool students begin Sept. 8.
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