RSU 50 Superintendent Larry Malone discussed several housekeeping items in his Sept. 8 report to board members in Dyer Brook.
One item related to bus inspection licenses at the bus garage, which is located adjacent to Katahdin High School.
“Prior to the RSU being formed, both districts were provided the ability to inspect eight buses in their facilities,” explained Malone. “The inspection license at Katahdin is expiring and we will lose the grandfather clause of eight buses if we wish to keep the garage in its current location.”
During the fiscal budget year of 2013, the board decided to relocate the bus garage from Katahdin Elementary School to a vacant welding building at the high school after the inspection licenses were issued.
The bus garage has the ability to inspect eight buses in the facility.
“Due to the fact it is in a new location, which is different than the original mailing address, we would have to inspect 10 buses in order to maintain an inspection license,” Malone said.
The board decided to keep a service garage at Katahdin without inspection. All buses will be inspected at Southern Aroostook.
A former RSU 50 tuition student is attending the virtual charter school and Malone outlined the impact.
“Although the district is not responsible for the costs, the district has lost tuition revenue,” he said.
In other news, Craig Kesselheim of Great Schools Partnership will present his report to the board and public on Oct. 6. A time and place will be announced. Kesseleheim will discuss a strategic-planning process to help the district create a comprehensive five-year plan that puts student learning needs first.
Tom Berry and Phil Faulkner will handle the athletic responsibilities this year, while Jon Porter will oversee the programs.
Katahdin and Southern Aroostook elementary schools will be part of the state of Maine Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Project. The pilot project allows for the district to purchase canned, frozen and dried fruit and vegetables, in addition to fresh produce starting Jan. 15.
Positions still needing to be filled are high school science at Southern Aroostook — Berry is the long-term sub; high school world language at both Southern Aroostook and Katahdin — adjusting schedules to cover and hire an Ed Tech II; and high school math at Katahdin — long-term sub is Terry Duffy.
RSU 50 opening day enrollment is 724. Southern Aroostook enrollment is 358 students, an increase of four students, and Katahdin decreased by 22 students for an enrollment of 366.
