Sheila Bedard

The budget meeting discussed the proposed FY 2026 school budget, which includes reductions in special education, facilities, and staffing, as well as the uniting of the Harrison and Waterford Schools. The budget also addresses strategic priorities such as supporting educators, maintaining social worker and counselor positions, and investing in school safety and security. The meeting also covered the district's efforts to manage a substantial loss in revenue while continuing to support students and maintain facilities, including the middle and elementary school construction projects.

The Oxford Hills School District Strategic Plan (2015-2020) focuses on enhancing the performance and effectiveness of its schools. Key areas include improving teaching and learning through evidence-based practices, developing multiple learning pathways, increasing experiential learning opportunities, strengthening STEM education, fostering citizenship, improving communication, and refining the grading system. The plan also addresses staff recruitment, professional development, evaluation, and retention; financial planning and oversight; facilities planning and management; and community engagement. The plan sets measurable goals and performance targets for various indicators, including high school graduation rates, college enrollment and completion rates, student achievement on standardized tests, student participation in co-curricular activities, and staff attendance rates. The plan emphasizes a commitment to high expectations for all students, multiple pathways to success, and strong community partnerships.

The ARP ESSER plan for MSAD #17 prioritizes safety and social-emotional learning, robust instruction and intervention, and technology. It allocates funds for summer programming, in-school interventions, enrichment activities, and special education support to address instructional time loss. Additional projects focus on HVAC upgrades, outdoor learning, PPE, nursing staff, and furniture to maintain safe in-person learning. Social-emotional needs are addressed through counseling services, BARR extensions, resource officers, and assertive discipline training. Technology upgrades include updated devices, additional tech staff, and online instructional platforms.

The strategic plan for MSAD#17 focuses on four key pillars: healthy and resilient students, maximizing facilities to support learning, recruiting, retaining, and growing talent, and ensuring rigorous, relevant, and responsive learning. The plan aims to improve student attendance, increase student connections with trusted adults, enhance school safety and security, optimize facilities, improve staff retention, increase student success rates, and close achievement gaps in literacy and math. Strategies include implementing social-emotional learning curricula, refining staff induction and evaluation processes, expanding access to experiential learning, and providing professional development for staff. The plan also emphasizes creating a positive learning environment where all students have a voice and are empowered to learn.