Following a conversation with parents and staff Feb. 7, the Edgecomb School Committee reached a consensus to make mask wearing for outdoor recess optional. Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Bob Kahler reported on Feb. 8, the committee heard from about a half dozen parents with most favoring making outdoor recess mask wearing “voluntary.”

School staff will be informed, and Kahler expects the amended policy will take effect in the next few days. “This is for outdoor recess only,” Kahler said. “We had a real good conversation where both sides were heard. There was no formal vote, but the consensus was to make it optional.”

In other action, the committee is preparing for its budget presentation to the Edgecomb Budget Advisory Committee at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 in the town hall. The current proposal is $3,168,380, which would reflect a 3.5% spending reduction.

The town ended 20 years of $234,000 school building payments last year, which now is a big factor in the overall spending reduction. “It’s not the whole reason, but it’s definitely a major part,” Kahler said. 

But no school payment also impacts the town’s state school subsidy. Officials expect $411,311 in state subsidy for Fiscal Year 23. Last year, Edgecomb received $599,848 in school funding. Based on the budget’s first draft, taxpayers would pay slightly more. Kahler reported the local assessment would increase by 1.01%.

After meeting with the town budget committee, school officials will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Feb. 17 at Edgecomb Eddy to finalize their proposal. 

Kahler also reported student pool testing for COVID-19 had begun. In the testing’s early stages, it took nurses around two hours to complete testing, but now, it’s finished in about 20 minutes. “Everyone is doing a great job. Testing is done once a week. If there is a positive case, the student is put in isolation (required to stay home for five days). It used to be 10 days, but the CDC reduced it,” he said. 

The school committee tabled three proposed updated policies for adoption. For the second meeting in a row, committee members tabled new policies on conflict of interest, board relationships with staff, and volunteers. Kahler said committee members wanted more time to review the updated proposals. “They wanted to consider how these changes would work and continue an in-depth conversation with staff.”