James Black

The meeting agenda includes several key items for discussion and potential action. Topics cover the Chairperson's report, including the Board Member Code of Ethics and a new Booster Liaison appointment. Communications include a Letter to the Editor, the Superintendent's Letter to Families & Staff, and Staff Persons of the Month recognition. Public Comment will address Policy BEDH concerning public participation. The Superintendent's Report will cover personnel actions (hires, transfers, resignations, retirements), budget process updates, and workforce training offerings. Administrator reports will include an update from School Nutrition. A presentation is scheduled for the Cohort 3 Update, specifically regarding RSU 9 Special Services/CDS 4 year olds. The Consent Agenda includes approval of personnel actions, minutes from the 1/27/2026 Board meeting, and committee reports from Operations, Personnel & Finance, and Educational Policy meetings held on 2.3.2026. New Business focuses on CCHS Grant Applications (Community School Grant and Fisher Charitable Foundation Grant) and a Dual Diploma Proposal. Policy work will involve reviewing revisions to several policies (DO, DIA, GBCC) and eliminating others (GA, IC, IHAE, IIB).

The meeting included a review of the Board Member Code of Ethics, specifically regarding the Booster Liaison role. Key discussion points included the Superintendent's report covering new personnel actions, status of ECSE Cohort funding, and the Maine Learning Technology Initiative opt-in agreement. Administrator reports featured highlights from Cascade Brook School regarding truancy success factors, and Mt. Blue Middle School discussions on steady attendance rates despite challenges. New business involved the approval of a field trip for the Mt. Blue Voices and Jazz Band to perform in NYC, initial review of the 26/27 Academic Calendar, updates on the FY27 Budget process reflecting a projected 2.5% student decrease, and the second reading and approval of Policy EBBD (Temperature Standards for Schools). The Board convened two Executive Sessions: one for Labor Contract Negotiations with the Professional Association and another for Economic Development discussions. Finally, a motion passed to appoint a three-member committee to negotiate possible 10-Year Student Tuition Agreements.

The Board of Directors meeting agenda included a call to order, pledge of allegiance, and adjustments to the agenda. Key discussion points involved the Chairperson's report on the Board Member Code of Ethics (BCA) and Communications regarding RSU 09 Comparability of Resources Title 1. The agenda also scheduled Public Comment on Policy BEDH, and the Superintendent's report covering new personnel, openings, recognition of Franklin County Teachers of the Year, and February being Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month. Administrator reports from the Foster CTE Center and Mt. Blue High School were planned. The Consent Agenda included new hires/resignations and Committee Report Outs, though committees reported no items. New Business items slated for discussion and vote included a Quebec International Field Trip and the 2025-26 Special Olympics Maine Unified Champion Schools Grant application. Policy work involved second readings for Brand New policies concerning Fund Balance (DIA) and Employee Use of Cell Phones (GBCC). The meeting planned for two Executive Sessions: one for Economic Development (pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(C)) and another for settlement negotiations (pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(E)).

The Operations Committee meeting addressed the work progress for Fiscal Year 2026, noting that the RSU #9 facilities navigated cold weather without major issues. Updates included staffing needs such as a part-time custodian opening at AHS, scheduling building tours, and standardizing the name of the safety committee to the Workplace Safety Committee. A significant discussion focused on changing mapping services, which will now go out to bid after declining a previous quote, with an allocation of $68,000. Reports from the MSMA Risk and Safety Manager visit highlighted that AHS should be prioritized for major projects due to the lack of a sprinkler system. Efforts continue regarding School Revolving Renovation Funds, though the district did not receive funding in the current round. Furthermore, the committee discussed applying for LED lighting retrofits with Efficiency Maine for AHS and CCHS using available funding. A motion was unanimously passed to approve the CO2 Control plan for Mount Blue Middle School (MBMS), funded from the MBMS repair/maintenance plan.

Key discussions included the Board Member Code of Ethics concerning Booster Liaison roles, with Amanda Caruso agreeing to serve. Communications featured letters from the Superintendent and recognition of Staff Persons of the Month for December and January. Good News Stories highlighted successful staff awards, teacher nominations for Franklin County Teacher of the Year, positive feedback on the no cell phones policy, and updates on the International Student Program, including a field trip and recent sports achievements. The Superintendent reported on personnel changes (hires, separations, retirements) and the status of the 2026-2027 budget process. The School Nutrition Director reported on menu software research (Menu Freedom). An update was provided on Cohort 3 regarding RSU 9 Special Services/CDS 4-year-olds, noting that funding is based on a state formula. New Business covered approvals for Community School Grant and Fisher Charitable Foundation Grant applications, the Dual Diploma Proposal (including Homeland Security certification requirements), approval for Nordic and Alpine State Ski Meet field trips, and policy work involving revisions, new drafts (Fund Balance, Employee Use of Cell Phones), and eliminations of several existing policies. The Budget Committee update indicated that reductions will likely be necessary to present a responsible budget.