In March, Edgecomb Eddy School’s enrollment reached 88 students, the most in its 16-year history at its current location. School officials estimate enrollment will reach 93 students next fall. The pre-kindergarten through grade six school expects 78 resident students and 15 non-residents.

As enrollment grows, school officials are grappling with increased requests from non-resident parents wanting to send their children to the school. On April 2, the Edgecomb School Committee held its first reading of a new policy regarding non-resident student admissions.

The proposal would require future applicants to undergo an academic screening process. The requirement would not apply to former Edgecomb Eddy students or students already attending prior to the application.

A screening team would rule on a non-resident student's admission. According to the policy’s proposed language, the decision would be based on, but not limited to: academic level, child behavior, a former teacher’s recommendation if a child had a previous placement, class make-up, and possible special needs for the child. The policy would also give special consideration to tuition students’ siblings already in attendance.

Once a class reaches 15 students, no tuition student would be accepted unless special circumstances exist. Those exceptions would include application by siblings of an established tuition student.

Regular education tuition would be at a rate established by the school committee. Payment by either parent or guardian or sending school system would be made at the beginning of each semester. Any additional costs would be charged to a parent or sending school system. Once a child is accepted into the Edgecomb school system, the student would be encouraged to remain through grade six unless circumstances warranted asking them to leave. The policy lists behavior problems, tuition non-payment or severe overcrowding as special circumstances.

The new policy will have a second reading for possible adoption next month.

The committee is also considering adopting a policy for non-resident students regarding its pre-kindergarten program. The school filled 15 of 16 spots for this year’s inaugural pre-kindergarten class. Eight of the 15 students are Edgecomb residents. The committee has a five-year contract with Westport Island and Alna to accept their pre-kindergarten students. 

The new class’s unexpected success has school officials wondering what happens if the pre-kindergarten class has more than 16 students in future classes. State law regulates pre-kindergarten class to an 8:1 student to teacher ratio. Edgecomb’s pre-kindergarten class meets those guidelines with a teacher and educational technician.

“What do we do mid-year when we have more than 16 students who want to attend pre-k," asked School Committee Chairman Tom Abello.

School officials will begin considering a possible policy for handling late pre-kindergarten entries or the feasibility of adding a second full- or half-day program. The committee will invite Regional School Unit 12 Superintendent Howie Tuttle to next month’s meeting to discuss a possible non-resident, pre-kindergarten students policy. Alna and Westport Island are RSU 12 members.

In other action, the committee unanimously voted to recommend a $2,869,171.97 budget for adoption at the May town meeting. The recommendation is a 6.7 percent increase. The town’s assessment would be $2,482,071.55 which is a 2.35 percent increase.

The committee voted 3-0 to adopt a one-year deal with the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District for a Contracted Meal Service agreement. Student lunch and milk prices remain the same. Lunches are $2.85 per meal and milk is 50 cents per pint. But breakfast prices will rise a dime to $1.50 per meal.

The committee will meet next at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 7 at Edgecomb Eddy School.