Wiscasset Elementary School Assistant Principal Danielle Harris told the school committee March 12, she is 100% for Wiscasset taking part in Cohort 2, the second wave of Maine Department of Education's piloting of early childhood special education. "I think it's the smartest thing that we could ever do (and) it would be ridiculous not to take advantage of this."

Harris explained, having trouble speaking can lead to maladaptive behaviors; so getting speech therapy early can help avoid those and help the child be able to love school and learning, she said.

Addressing committee and public concerns over cost, Harris said she believes the state will come through on reimbursements, and Cohort 1 participants' "overwhelming response has been that it has been a great opportunity, they're glad they did it, and any problems they've had, the state's been right there to help them out."

Committee member Jonathan Barnes said shifting an older student's speech therapy to telehealth to free up a speech therapist for a younger one is providing one student "less of a service."

Harris reiterated, early speech therapy can avoid multiple needs later.

Special Education Director Andrea Lovell said the start of services next September gives the school department time to plan. She added, "In this district, we do an outstanding job meeting the needs of students with disabilities. I would go to the mat on that one. We work so, so, so hard ... I don't think we should go into this assuming it will be perfect, because I'm pretty sure it won't," because the initiative is still being worked out. But she is talking with and learning from the schools already in it "so maybe we don't make the same mistakes and we do a better job."

Lovell said it is good the opinions are varied going into Cohort 2. Those will help "sift out what's really important and what we may need to keep an eye on ... It's up to you guys," she told the committee. "You have my commitment ... We'll do what we have to do."

Committee member Tracey Whitney said she feels taking part is the right thing to do, but what if the state decides not to make it mandatory statewide in 2028 after all. "Are we then going to be legally responsible to continue ... because we've accepted that?"

The committee planned to vote on Cohort 2 and on the 2025-26 budget draft in a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 in Wiscasset Middle High School's library. In new numbers Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson presented, with higher than earlier projected tuition rates, the local ask for 2025-26 would be up 4.54% with Cohort 2 funding figured in, or 6.15% without it. 

Also March 12, the committee agreed to apply to the state for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for a preK through grade 12, academics-focused after school program at the two schools and Wiscasset Community Center.

Central Office Administrative Assistant Cynthia Young, a site coordinator for the program when Wiscasset had it many years ago, said the grant is highly competitive. She said the partnerships the school principals and Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud have already lined up should help Wiscasset’s chances, because the statewants to see collaboration “and we’re looking really good (on) that.”

“It sounds like a good program that would be in the best interest of our students,” committee member Jodi Hardwick said. 

“It was wonderful,” Young said of the program’s prior Wiscasset run.

Barnes agreed to serve on the dropout prevention committee, part of a graduation rates policy the school committee adopted recently. The committee accepted with regret the resignation of WMHS school counselor Shaye Paradis. And Food Services Director Lorie Johnson's monthly written report said "School nutrition is in line to take a big hit" among federal cuts. "I'm having conversations with my crew as (to) how we can keep costs under control and coming up with new ideas for scratch cooking more often than not."

Barnes asked Johnson if she knew how much funding Wiscasset stands to lose on food service. "I don't yet because it's not set in stone. I just wanted to give you a heads up that that's on the horizon," she explained.