Staff Writer
The Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 Board of Education met March 17 at the superintendent’s office in Caribou. During the meeting representatives from the Limestone community School Student Council addressed board members recent events at the LCS. Among the LCS students present was Nate Berube, treasurer of the student council organization who updated the RSU board on athletic events. “This was a re-building year for the boys basketball team,” said Berube, “give ‘em a couple of years and they’ll bring home a gold ball.” Berube also commented on the success of the winter carnival events.
Bill Morgan, vice president of the student council and president of the Limestone National Honor Society, spoke about the NHS State Convention held in Orono and a recent trip to the job fair sponsored by UMPI.
Matt Tracy, student council president, spoke about a recent lock-down and canine drug search operated by officers of the Maine State Police and Border/ Customs patrols. Tracy also informed board members of a physics class trip to Katahdin regarding a research project being done in conjunction with the University of Southern Maine.
In other business the RSU board of education, reviewed information gathered on the proposed school calendar for the 2010-11 school year. Possible changes in the school calendar were a result of a potato harvest survey taken last fall. Although the actual calendar has not been created or voted upon, board members did vote to have McElwain develop a document for 2010-2011 that would include students in grades 9 through 12 only, continuing to be able to participate in potato harvest which will run Sept. 23 through Oct. 11.
Prior to voting to have McElwain create a calendar draft, board member Dale Gordon commented, “I was impressed by the number of farmers who said they were able to live with the change of the harvest going from three week to two. I also think parents do want the change,( regarding no harvest recess, eliminating the split calendar). Change makes sense at this point in time. Can we take a little from both sides?”
Board member Michelle Albert stated she agreed with Gordon as did George O’Bar and Katherine Anderson. Anderson stated, it was her hope to see a common calendar but felt it wouldn’t be a comfortable step to take at this time. David Strainge said he was surprised at how little resistance the board had received in reference to the possibility of reducing the harvest recess schedule from three to two weeks, but said the board must still continue to work with the farmers in mind and create a friendly calendar, “We need to be respectful of everyone’s input.”
RSU Board Chairman Scott Willey said, “We need to take these changes slowly but I do think this is a step in the right direction.”
It is noted that as the proposed change brings the harvest recess from three weeks to two, and will continue to include students in grades 9-12 only, allowing students to be available for 19 days plus approximately five, “flex” days when, with a note from a farmer, they could be excused for work, bringing the total to 24 available days.
The next RSU 39 board of education meeting will be held March 31 at 7 p.m.
