Wiscasset School Committee eyes hiring, budget meeting

Bids farewell to Lewis
Wed, 05/09/2018 - 8:00am

    The Wiscasset School Committee learned the school budget validation meeting is set for 6 p.m. May 16 in the Wiscasset Middle High School gymnasium.

    Plans continue to find a superintendent of schools, special services director and assistant principal and athletic director to succeed Heather Wilmot, Carrie Kern and Mandy Lewis, respectively. A survey is allowing respondents to offer one question they would ask a candidate, prioritize leadership qualities and indicate items for the search committee to look for in candidates.

    Some of the questions will be used in the interview process. The survey went out to parents and others. It closes May 15. Interviews for athletic director-assistant principal are May 15 and for special services director, May 17. There are currently 13 candidates for athletic director-assistant principal and eight for special services director.

    School committee members are tentatively scheduled to meet top candidates the school day of May 29.

    Lewis thanked the committee and Wilmot for their support of the athletics program.

    In June, the committee will look at expanding regional services with Regional School Units 1 and 12 and (Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 93, to include transportation for homeless students, bulk ordering, sharing of specialized equipment and technology, and assessment services. The department received notification the outline for expanding the interlocal agreement would be approved if the committee agreed to it. Any approval would require town approval, likely for the November ballot.

    WMHS Principal Peg Armstrong said there is still no agreement in the Legislature on whether the law on proficiency-based diploma requirements would be changed from “must do” to “may do." The school is looking at how to evaluate proficiency. Discipline rules are changing from zero tolerance to a more restorative justice approach, using natural and logical consequences.

    Clara Mugnai, Vanessa Dunn and Jessie Perkins, were named Top Scholars this year.

    Wiscasset Elementary School Principal Stacy White announced kindergarten screening is May 14 during school hours.

    Kern said her team is working on transitioning students from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school, making sure all the necessary information moves with each student.

    Abby Lourie of the Sheepscot Regional Education Program, or the Anchor Program, said five students are enrolled. The program projects 8-12 students for fall. The program will be moving from a building in Bath on June 18 and 19.