On Dec. 5, Edgecomb School Committee member Dawn Murray received all 16 votes in a special election to fill Jack Sarmanian’s vacated term as a selectman. Prior to the Dec. 7 school committee meeting, Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser read Murray’s resignation letter ending her nearly two years of service.

Now it is the school committee’s turn to fill a vacant seat, and chairman Tom Abello prefers to find a replacement sooner rather than later. “I’d like to make an appointment prior to Jan. 4 because if we don’t, we’d have to wait until May to fill it,” Abello said. “ And I’d like a full compliment of members heading into budget season.” 

Abello has spoken to a potential replacement and planned on another conversation following the committee meeting or on Dec. 8.

In other action, Director of Special Services Christopher Baribeau reported about Edgecomb Eddy’s and other AOS 98 schools falling behind in special education student evaluations. Schools are required to perform a special needs student evaluation every three years. Last year, Baribeau reported a “lack of budgeted” funds resulted in the AOS  missing 43 deadlines. He also reported this fall and winter, AOS 98  continues to fall behind. Baribeau wants to hire a speech pathologist and  full-time psychologist to meet state required deadlines. AOS 98  has three school psychologists with two working two days per week and another, one day. “There is a hole in our budget and it’s pretty hard now to complete more than one evaluation per week,” Baribeau said. 

The Edgecomb School Committee received a $200,000 check in round one of federal COVID-19 relief funding. The total could reach $266,000, according to Laser who reported the school is seeking funding in round two. “The funds are going to be used for our mold remediation which should cover the entire costs. I’ve already used $128,000 in COVID-19 relief funding for that,” he said. 

Edgecomb Eddy Principal Ira Michaud reported teachers have expanded their outdoor learning offerings to their students. First grade teacher Cindy Casey took her class outdoors for story time and other teachers are planning hikes and nature-related lessons.

School committee members Abello and Heather Sinclair unanimously approved nine amended and revised policies. The committee had second readings for student conduct on buses, environment and safety program, school closings and cancellations, automated external defibrillators, notice of planned pesticide applications, student transportation employee, use of private vehicle for school business, menu development option (offer versus serve), free and reduced food service price policies.

Abello also announced Laser would retire at year’s end. He reported the AOS’s search committee would follow the same procedure as when they hired Laser in May 2018.

The school committee’s next meeting is Monday, Jan. 4 via Zoom conference.