By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Progress reports were the main focus of RSU 39’s School Board meeting held at the Superintendent’s Building on Nov. 7. in Caribou.
Beginning the agenda of reports was Karen Nadeau, the school district’s business manager, who reviewed financial statements for the first part of the school year.
Nadeau was followed by Wayne St. Pierre, RSU 39’s director of transportation and maintenance, with his detailed report of all maintenance projects that have been completed or are in the midst of completion at each of the schools in the district.
Caribou High School Principal Mark Jones reported on recent activity at the high school, including a mock election that was held where the results mimicked the actual national and state elections. Jones also spoke about the National Honor Society’s recently held ceremony for new inductees and a clothing drive NHS participated in to benefit Catholic Charities.
The principal advised that Caribou High School has provided some new rewards for its Student of the Month, including a special parking space, which used to belong to Jones.
Jones also spoke about the Caribou math team competing in a meet in which the team finished a few points behind Presque Isle; Monmouth Theater’s performance of “Hamlet” for CHS students; the recent pre-SAT testing; and the school’s transition center, which has had 1,800 visits this year so far.
In athletics, Jones advised the CHS boys and girls cross-country teams qualified for the state meet and the boys were runners-up; the boys and girls soccer teams qualified for a Northern Maine Board of Approved Soccer Officials tournament, and a sports award ceremony was held. CHS students Dean Walker and Olivia Sleeper were named outstanding soccer players, and Sleeper, Walker and Nolan McDuffie have been selected to play in the Senior All-Star game.
Ralph Conroy, Caribou Tech Center director, then provided his report, advising that a new van was purchased to transport students. Conroy also commented on recent building improvements that were made at the center.
A meeting of the advisory committee had a nice turnout, Conroy said, and a group from Caribou’s Future Farmers of America went to the national FFA competition and won the bronze plaque.
Conroy also reported that a new dump truck was purchased from Lane Construction for $2,000 for the large equipment operation and commercial driving programs. Lane transported the truck from Bangor and also installed a new tailgate at no additional cost to the center.
Danny MacDonald, director of the Caribou Learning Center, was the last to provide his progress report. He advised that a Thanksgiving dinner would be held for the students the week after the school board meeting.
According to MacDonald, the Learning Center has received a grant for new video conferencing equipment and they will be stepping up their certified nurses assistant classes due to a large demand in the community.
MacDonald advised that two of the Learning Center’s teachers were in Rhode Island for curriculum development training, and five computers were donated to the center from the University of Maine.
Other matters the board discussed included two policies to be considered for a second review. Board member Scott Willey voiced his concern over the last paragraph in the Staff Participation in Political Discussion policy, which addresses discussion outside of the classroom.
Willey stated he supported the policy otherwise, but doesn’t know how the last paragraph can be enforced. RSU 39 Superintendent Franklin McElwain advised he believed it was meant to simply raise awareness about the subject and was just a word of caution. Willey motioned to pass the policy but to omit the last paragraph about discussion outside of the classroom. Board Member Michelle Albair seconded the motion. Four board members were in favor of the motion and three, Lynn McNeal, John Sjostedt and Clifford Rhome, opposed. With the majority in favor, the motion carried.
The next policy discussed for a second reading was the Guest Speakers in School policy. After discussion about guidelines regarding parent notification of speakers, the board unanimously approved a second reading.
Members of the 2013 CHS class were present at the meeting to ask the board to grant the class senior privileges. Jennifer Plourde, the senior class adviser, introduced students Emma Duplissie-Cyr, Devon Ballard and Kenny Griffeth, who presented their argument in favor of senior privileges, which mostly entail the students being able to leave campus during lunch. The students pointed out that the class of 2013 has proven themselves to be responsible and hard working and, they believe, deserving of these privileges.
The board questioned the students about what standards would need to be met in order to maintain their privileges such as grades and parental permission to be able to leave campus. Principal Jones stated he was in favor of the class being granted these privileges. Willey motioned to approve, McNeal seconded, and the board unanimously approved for privileges to begin after Thanksgiving break.
McElwain provided his superintendent’s report, advising of recent staff changes. Resignations from Chris Cashman, part-time cook at Hilltop; Susan Plissey, assistant wrestling coach at Caribou High School; Betty Wilcox, cook at Caribou High School; and Brent O’Neal, a teacher at Limestone Community School, were accepted by McElwain.
The superintendent hired Krista Albert as a cheerleading coach for Caribou Middle School and approved Morgan Albert as volunteer cheerleading coach to assist Krista. Brian Thompson was hired as a ski coach for Caribou Middle School, along with Amanda Brooker as a mid-level basketball coach for Limestone and Susan Tucker as a mid-level Destination Imagination coach in Limestone.
McElwain, McNeal and Rhome spoke about their experience at the Maine School Superintendents Association/Maine School Board Association’s meeting which they attended. All three stated they felt it was very positive and productive. McNeal and McElwain praised the workshop on teacher evaluation systems, and Rhome advised he was impressed with a debate team presentation. Rhome said he would encourage the district to participate in such a program.
The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec.5 at 7 p.m. at the Superintendent’s Building in Caribou.
