By Donna Delong
Special to the Aroostook Republican
CARIBOU — Members of the Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 board of education met June 20 for a regular meeting at the superintendent’s office.
The board was asked to consider approval of the Computation and Declaration of Votes for the RSU 39 2012-2013 budget validation and the Warrants for Assessment of the Regional School Unit Tax. The results of the June 12 vote saw the budget pass in Caribou with 378 affirmative votes, 233 negative votes and 13 void/blank votes; and in Limestone where 149 of 195 voters favored the proposed budget. In Stockholm, the RSU 39 spending package was rejected by a 21-46 margin.
A motion was made to accept the computation and declaration and warrants for assessment by John Sjostedt and seconded by Clifford Rhome.
RSU 39 directors voted on whether they should add a special education teacher to the Life Skills Program for students who require specialized teaching. Presently the Life Skills Program services students from grades 5 to 12 and Karla Michaud, director of special services would like to expand the program to the lower elementary students who are presently being tuitioned out of district. This would enable all students to have the opportunity to be educated with their peers within their school department. It would also cut out travel time giving more time for student programming.
Board member Rhome asked if there would be enough students to carry a teacher through a long period of time, rather than for only a couple of years. Michaud said, “Absolutely, there are always students requiring a more specialized education and since we are an RSU we have students coming from Limestone as well. Many of the students require small group intervention for their program which we can offer.”
Rhome was also concerned if there would be qualified candidates to fill the position. Superintendent Frank McElwain responded that there is an abundance of qualified candidates that would be suitable for the position. The motion was made by Rhome, seconded by Sjostedt and passed unanimously to hire a new special education teacher and educational technician.
Assistant Superintendent Lois Brewer updated the board on the No Child Left Behind law (NCLB). This law was designed by the federal government to ensure that students are continuing to reach higher standards in math, reading and writing. The target for proficiency goes up every year to a maximum of 100 percent of students expected to be achieving at or above the learning targets by 2014 in these areas as well as in attendance.
“Because the targets rise each year it can be like a game of chase, even though students are making gains.” Brewer said. For schools that receive federal Title I funds, if these achievement goals are not met, then sanctions can be imposed under the law. Rhome asked. “Are the teachers receiving special educational opportunities to help them reach these very high goals?” In response, Brewer mentioned several professional development opportunities that the teachers have to hone their skills to better serve the student population to achieve the goals required, although, she felt that the goals of 100 percent proficiency were not realistic. Brewer said. “Students are not all about laws and acronyms. Overall, they are doing well.”
McElwain reported on two accepted resignations of Shelly Richardson (class adviser at Caribou High School) and Matt McGreavy (special education teacher at Limestone Community School) and accepted a new hire, Ranie Belanger, as a guidance counselor at LCS.
Superintendent McElwain also informed the board of a change in the athletic participation policy at Caribou Middle School that would allow some sports to include players from multiple grades and expand the participation of grade 6 students. Travis Barnes, CMS athletic director, stated that the number of students had been dwindling to fill the positions for the different sports and the sixth-graders should be included in the participation of all the sports. He also stated that the child that was involved with many different sports throughout the school year had become a rarity and that most students seemed to stay with one sport that they enjoyed year-round.
The RSU board was asked to consider meeting on an as-needed basis during the month of July rather than meet without enough information to conduct a meeting. It was approved unanimously.
