By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 Board of Education met Oct. 5, for a regular meeting held at the superintendents office in Caribou. Board members present included Kent Forbes, Cliff Rhome, Scott Willey, Dale Gordon, Michelle Albert, Lynn McNeal, John Sjostedt and Frank McElwain, RSU 39 superintendent.
During the meeting the panel voted to adopt revisions to policies including Student Education, Records and Information, Annual Notice of Student Education Records and Information Rights, and Student Education Records and Information — administrative procedures.
A policy regarding post-secondary enrollment options was also approved. This policy establishes the requirements for student enrollment in post -secondary courses taken prior to high school graduation. Changes within the policy included: Eligible Institutions: the policy now reads “students may take courses at ‘Accredited’ post-secondary institutions.” Previously the policy had read: “eligible institutions within Maine, which include the University of Maine System, the Community Technical College System and Maine Maritime Academy.”
A change was also adopted under Financial Assistance, Part A which now reads: “As described in MSRA 20,15689-A-11, the Commissioner of Education (replaces the Maine Department of Education) may pay applicable tuition costs for any student enrolled in a course under this policy if the eligible institution require tuition payment.”
Mark Jones, principal at CHS, addressed the RSU board, announcing the success of high school students in regard to the Maine High School Assessment scores. Jones stated that in the testing areas, critical reading, mathematics, writing and science, Caribou High School students scored with distinction or proficiency when compared to statewide results. In all four areas students met the standard expectation; were equal to state computations in critical reading and writing and were three points over the state norm in both math and science. These results show a full picture of this age group, as 100 percent of the students eligible for this testing participated,” Jones said.
“These results prove that we have set ourselves apart from the rest of the state,” said Jones. “We are doing well with proficient students and at the same time we are working with those who fall below the standard. In considering the upward trend of these testing results from previous years, I commend the dedicated teachers at the Caribou Middle School, they are committed to making sure students are ready when they enter their high school career.” Jones also directed credit to the Transition Center at CHS which provides tutorial sessions.
In other business McElwain announced that he had accepted the resignations of Lou Willly, director of the 21st Century after-school program and CHS staff member Rita Zbylut.
At the Sept. 21 RSU 39 meeting which took place at the Limestone Community School, McElwain had informed the board members of two other resignations that included Robert Blanchard, CMS guidance counselor and Jessica Dow, CMS drama coach.
The next meeting of the Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 board of education will be held on Oct. 19 in Caribou, beginning at 7 p.m.
