Edgecomb Eddy School held its last school committee meeting of the school year Monday, Jun 19.  New member Heather Sinclair was there.

Outgoing Principal Lisa Clarke presented her final principal’s report. She is Southport Central School’s next principal. Alternative Organizational School (AOS) 98 Superintendent Eileen King reported that several promising resumes for the Edgecomb Eddy principal position had been received. Interviews are planned for June 28.   

Clarke was happy to report that the school has received an $8,500 Gizmo Garden fund grant. Edgecomb Eddy is one of eight winners of grants that enable Maine organizations to provide gender-balanced education in coding, electronics and robotics for students from grades nine through 12. The school will create SeaPerch underwater robots.

Clarke and King updated the committee on the contract between Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 and Edgecomb , in which RSU 12 will provide round trip transportation to its pre-K students from Alna and Westport Island wishing to attend Edgecomb Eddy’s pre-K class beginning next September. 

Clarke announced that thus far, two pre-K students from those towns have enrolled. King added that a Westport Island student will enter Edgecomb’s third grade, and a private-pay kindergarten student will also be enrolled. King said she’s pleased with the five new tuition-based enrollments, and is hopeful about having at least a few more before school resumes.

The committee discussed how to better get the word out to Alna and Westport Island parents with pre-K or kindergarten through sixth grade children. “We’re talking with people who are looking to move to the area, so we’re open to ideas,” said Clarke. She said people are having trouble finding rentals or purchasing homes in the Edgecomb area. Chair Tom Abello said an Alna selectman suggested holding an open house to invite Edgecomb Eddy officials to speak about the Pre-K class and transportation. King is also in the process of sending a mailing to both towns to provide citizens with more information.

In other business, Clarke announced Cindy Casey will teach the new Pre-K class, while Dawn Garey will teach kindergarten and first grade. A search for an instructor to teach a combined second and third grade class is underway.    

Math teacher Terry Mulligan is retiring after teaching at Edgecomb Eddy for 30 years. The most recent school newsletter from Edgecomb Eddy School states: “Two years ago, she was honored as one of Maine’s Starting Nine teachers, and was nominated for Maine’s Teacher of the Year award. Ms. Mulligan has been a dedicated and highly respected teacher. We wish her well in all that lies ahead for her.”

Departing Assistant Superintendent Shawn Carlson provided policy updates to committee members, in particular, changes to the child abuse and neglect policy. “Mandatory reporters, which involve most of our school employees, have an obligation to report immediately to the principal,” Carlson said. After the employee has contacted the principal, the principal is obligated to contact the Department of Health and Human Services. The principal then contacts the employee who had made the report, and the employee must sign a document stating he or she has been informed, by the principal, that the principal has passed the information on to DHHS.

The committee also voted to approve two tuition contracts with RSU 12 for Pre-K and K-sixth grades; re-appointed Robert Leone truant officer for the 2017-2018 school year; granted King permission to hire staff throughout the summer without having to call the committee into session; and gave approval to King to apply for grants during the 2017-2018 school year, if they would not increase the budget.

Clarke thanked the committee for the time and work spent working for the interests of the school. The committee gave Clark a crudité platter and dip bowl.

The meeting adjourned in time for sixth grade graduation. The next meeting is Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m.