Maine School Administrative District 1

The meeting included a superintendent's report covering enrollment numbers, a draft of phase 2 of the MSAD #1 Strategic Plan/Facilities Planning and Management, and upcoming changes to Fair Labor Standards. The board reviewed and approved several policies related to instruction, curriculum, and student resources. Committee reports included upcoming meetings for CTE, Negotiations, Right-Sizing, and Curriculum committees. The board approved the Budget Referendum Vote of September 29, 2016.

The meeting included recognition of retiring staff, reports on curriculum committee meetings and proficiency-based evaluations, a financial statement review, the superintendent's report on staff transfers and budget validation results, and consideration of staff resignations and appointments. The board also authorized the superintendent to act as the board's agent for federal subsidies and grants.

The District Budget Meeting focused on the approval of the budget for the fiscal year. Key areas of the budget included regular instruction, special education, career and technical education, other instruction, student and staff support, system administration, school administration, transportation and buses, facilities maintenance, debt service and other commitments, and all other expenditures including school lunch. The meeting also addressed the allocation and raising of funds from each municipality, the appropriation for annual payments on debt service, the raising of additional local funds, and the authorization to increase the school budget based on potential increases in state funding. Finally, the meeting included the appropriation for adult education.

The meeting primarily focused on the progress of the superintendent search. An executive session was held to discuss this topic, but no action was taken following the session.

The board meeting included presentations on the Dual Credit Program at Presque Isle High School and the 2016 Harvest Survey, which showed 12% student participation. Superintendent Carpenter reported on the MSMA Fall Superintendent Conference and the awarding of the Janet Nesin-Reynolds Outstanding Middle Level Educator Award. A decline in student enrollment was also noted. The Right-Sizing/Repurposing Plan (Plan 4), involving the relocation of K-5 (and possibly Pre-K) students to Presque Isle Middle School and grades 6-12 to Presque Isle High School, was approved. Committee reports covered CTE activities, curriculum updates (including a new computer science course), and policy review. Several policies were approved, including those related to transcripts, graduation requirements, special education graduation requirements, academic support, and bullying.