One issue on everyone’s mind is the regionalization effort to consolidate school administration services, according to John Hedman, superintendent of School Union 122.
The union, which is composed of school departments in Woodland, New Sweden, and Stockholm is being lumped together in a regionalization planning committee known as Region 2. Included in that organization are other school districts such as Caribou and Limestone.
During a meeting on Nov. 13, Hedman briefed the Woodland School Committee on the regionalization efforts. In addition, the school panel voted to have its chairman, Cindy Noyes, to represent them on the Region 2 board. In the event that Noyes is unable to make the meetings, she may designate an alternate to attend, according to Hedman.
In other business, the superintendent also informed the board of a statewide petition drive under way to repeal the consolidation effort. There are six petitions circulating within the union, Hedman said.
Opponents of the measure have until January to collect the necessary signatures to present to the Maine Legislature. However, Hedman said that the goal is to have the documents back before Christmas.
Local school officials plan to examine the currant policy on student fund-raisers. Hedman said that there appears to be a greater than usual number of fund-raisers within the school to support student trips, for which funding is limited. Hedman said the policy will be reviewed to determine if there should be any restrictions on the type of fund-raisers allowed within the school.
In other action, the board appointed Cheryl Hallowell and Lynn Greenier to the union’s steering committee on recertification.
The board also considered its method of voting during the upcoming union board meeting, which is attended by the school committees of Woodland, New Sweden and Stockholm, in December. During that session, the union board vote on employment of the superintendent and teachers that are shared between the union’s schools.
The boards may vote as a block or as individual members. Hedman said the Woodland panel failed to make a decision and will need to meet again prior to the union meeting.
