A change in the Set For Success back-to-school program has Edgecomb education officials scrambling for a new plan.  During the June 12 meeting, school committee members learned of a significant change in the program. This year, Set For Success will be held on Aug. 31 in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium, but will be a scaled back version. Principal Tom Landberg reported Set For Success would only distribute backpacks and water bottles. “I’m not sure why the program changed, but we need to prepare for providing students with school supplies. It’s too late to budget for it, so we need another solution.”

Landberg plans to notify parents about the program’s change. “There is time for us to prepare. Maybe parents could donate some extra supplies, and we can find extra funds prior to school’s start,” he said.

In other action, the committee reviewed an initial draft of a new hiring procedure policy. Superintendent Bob Kahler gave the committee an overview. The worksheet included steps for resignations, job postings, formation of hiring committees, applicant screenings, first interview, second interview, nomination to board and hiring. “It looks like this is a great checklist,” Chairman Heather Sinclair said. 

Committee member Nicole Price requested more language on diversity, equity and inclusion standards. Kahler said the policy would include DEI provisions.

The committee voted 3-0 to use a reserve account to cover three Fiscal Year 23 account overages. Kahler reported the special education account had spent 96.7% of budgeted funds and would be in the “red” by July 1. Other cost centers with deficits are the facility maintenance budget which overspent by $62,929.74, and systems administrations (Alternative Organizational Structure office) which spent $15,670 over budget. The committee plans on filling the budget gaps using capital reserve funds. 

This spring, the committee sought voter approval during the May 30 special town meeting to spend reserve account funds with selectboard approval. Kahler outlined the plan to offset account overdrafts by seeking  up to $100,000 from the reserve account. The school committee approved Kahler’s proposal to seek selectboard approval. On June13, Sinclair attended the selectmen’s meeting and explained the school committee’s request. Selectmen unanimously approved the request. 

Edgecomb and its fellow AOS 98 members are discussing how regionalization may benefit their long-term educational goals. Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District plans on asking voters this fall to fund a new high school, middle school addition and elementary school renovations. CSD officials estimate an $88 million price tag. But a 16-acre piece of property for sale near the Boothbay-Edgecomb line has created speculation about a regional high school. 

Sinclair said the proposal is so new, “Questions only create more questions. I don’t know how I feel about this and would like more public input.” The committee held a public forum to seek community input about potential regionalization. Boothbay Harbor resident Tom Perkins attended the Edgecomb school committee hearing via Zoom. He hoped all AOS members would seriously vet the prospect of regionalization. “I don’t want to hear how difficult and complicated this is. All I want is for everyone to consider how this would impact the future of education in the region,” he said.

The AOS 98 board met June 14 to begin an initial discussion. Peggy Spaine of Boothbay Harbor is the AOS 98 board member. Following the AOS meeting, she sent out an email response to the Boothbay Register. “Regionalization is one possible area for the committee to consider. The motion was for a broader discussion of options not limiting the subcommittee. An RSU is a very specific structure.”

AOS 98 is creating a subcommittee consisting of board members, elected officials and community members studying the impacts of regionalization.  

The Edgecomb School Committee approved extending the food services contract with Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District for one year. “The contract allows a 30-day notification period if we want to resume providing our own lunches sometime next year,” Sinclair said. 

The committee accepted three resignations. Zandra Morris, educational technician III, resigned June 6. First grade teacher Cindy Casey resigned effective Aug. 31. Teacher Nancy Rose is retiring. The following teachers will return next fall: Michelle Fortin, Sally Monroe, Sarah Currier Amanda Cotier, Jennifer McIvor and Jennifer Gosselin. The committee approved contracts for probationary teachers Heather Chouinard, Laurie Brown and Elaine Walsh. The committee also approved contracts for continuing teachers Racheal Kellogg and Nicole Ellis. Landberg had his principal’s contract extended to 2025.