At the April 13 Wiscasset School Committee meeting, the committee accepted two new hires, including the new principal for Wiscasset Elementary School. Superintendent Terry Wood said Kathleen Pastore comes from Massachusetts, has owned a home in New Harbor for the last 10 years and has great expertise in K-3 early literacy.

Wood also reported that the department is continuing its partnership with Chewonki Foundation, and Chewonki plans to host the seventh grade in the fall for an overnight trip like it has in the past. She said Chewonki is also interested in helping with tutoring and afterschool programming. She said the department has been working with Chewonki to try to hire Chewonki employees November through April as substitutes. Chewonki currently has 89 full-and-part-time employees, and hires an additional 130-150 seasonal employees each summer to support its summer camp programs. 

Wood announced that 19 students have been accepted into the Bath vocational program for next year.

In leadership updates, Wiscasset Middle High School Principal Chuck Lomonte said 29 students at the high school are participating in an afterschool credit recovery program. Lomonte said the school will run its regular credit recovery program this summer, a middle school level outdoor, community-based summer adventure program with community partners, and a high school performing arts summer program.

Lomonte announced that WMHS teachers Marija Randall and Gillian Victor have been nominated for the Presidential Achievement in Excellence in Mathematics and Science Technology Award which he noted is “one of the highest honors bestowed in the United States to K-12 science and math teachers.”

Director of Food Service Lorie Johnson offered pick up for food for any students who need it given the move to virtual learning through April vacation. She also praised her staff, Wood and the committee for their support throughout the many changes and challenges over the last year.

Director of Maintenance and Transportation John Merry reported his department is now fully staffed after having to fill multiple custodial jobs.

Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Warren Cossette said a large number of students are interested in track and field and, in partnership with Wiscasset Community Center, there has been intramural baseball and softball.

The committee approved the calendar for 2021-2022 and discussed if snow days would be virtual learning days. Currently there are 75 hotspots for internet used by students to ensure they have connectivity at home.

The committee held a short budget workshop prior to the regular meeting. The panel was still waiting on the percentage increase for town water and sewer but has built in a 30% increase. Woods added by telephone the next day, the department anticipates slight increases after the support staff and teachers’ contracts are negotiated but there were no major shifts from last year in any other department lines. Currently, the proposed locally raised portion of the budget is $5,999,427.92, a $175.47 decrease from last year. The department has also been trying to use the grant received from the state (due to COVID) as much as possible to avoid putting items into next year’s budget, such as the additional tables that will be needed for spacing once students are back to five days a week in-person.

The committee requested 6 p.m. May 12 for the budget validation referendum. There will also be a special meeting of the committee at 6 p.m. April 27 for a final discussion on the budget. The committee’s next regular meeting is 6 p.m. May 11. Both meetings will be on Zoom and in person. More information will be announced on the format of the May 12 meeting.