Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, schools are still open and learning is occurring. That’s the message Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser presented during Edgecomb’s April 6 school committee meeting. Edgecomb Eddy, like most of Maine’s public schools, has been closed to students since mid-March. But the staff has been educating students remotely through e-mails, Facebook and Zoom, an interactive video conference service.

While the pandemic resulted in a school closure, the buildings remain open and teachers are working to remain in contact with students and parents in disseminating lessons and exercises. “I want to remind you school is open and learning is taking place,” Laser said. “I want you to be cognizant that staff is being paid and everyone is contributing.”

In response to the pandemic, local educators developed a remote learning plan for AOS 98 schools. Edgecomb Eddy is a pre-kindergarten through grade six school. The plan calls for one to 2.5 hours of instruction Monday through Friday for pre-kindergarten through grade three students and two to three hours daily per school week for grades four through six. Teachers are required to contact students twice per week. Parents receive an email with suggestions for keeping their children on task. The remote learning plan recommends 30-minute lessons Monday through Friday for math, writing and reading for pre-kindergarten through grade three and 30-60 minutes five times per week for grades four through six.

The Maine Department of Education is requiring local school committees to approve remote learning plans. The Edgecomb School Committee unanimously approved a remote program for its 106 students. Laser reported the state is more interested in each school unit following a plan than in the details. “I don’t think anyone in the department will be reading these local plans. I think the governor is more interested in the school board minutes showing a plan is in place,” he said.

In the past month, Laser has attended meetings with other Midcoast superintendents. The governor’s school closure order expires May 4, but Laser reported many superintendents believe it may extend further. “The belief is that we won’t be going back to school this year. Local superintendents hope, if that’s the case, then the governor will make a decision before April vacation.”

While remote lessons continue, AOS 98 will observe the traditional weeklong April vacation (April 20-24). During the school closure, AOS 98 is producing 200 bag lunches five times per week. Laser reported about half are being delivered by bus and the remaining 100 are picked up at locations in each town. Southport, Edgecomb and Boothbay Harbor have locations at the local school entrance. In Boothbay, a bus is located in the municipal building’s parking lot. Each bag lunch is made at a $7 cost. State and federal funds provide a $4 subsidy per meal. “So we’re losing $3 or $200 a day,” Laser said. Local donations are providing economic assistance to the local school meal program. Laser reported the district has received $22,000 in donations. “We put something in the paper and the response has just blown everybody away,” he said. 

Laser expects the remote learning will continue until June 1. At that point, he predicts school officials will begin developing plans for gauging student progress and plan for the next school year beginning in late August. The coronavirus is also having a major impact on future school budgets. The pandemic resulted in Edgecomb cancelling this spring’s annual budget meeting. It is also jeopardizing the May 20 town meeting. State law requires that residents vote in town meetings in person. If the town meeting is postponed or cancelled, the school committee could operate on the current year’s budget. The committee approved a 2019-20 budget which is about $59,000 less than proposed for 2020-21. Chairman Tom Abello asked how the budget would fare under this scenario. “I'm wondering if there is enough money. I know there is savings from health insurance and we’re getting more money from the state, but we are also paying more for teachers’ salary and benefits.”

Laser will provide committee members with updated figures on next year’s school budget at the next meeting. In other action, the committee unanimously approved 20 updated school policies. Only one received any discussion: Committee member Heather Sinclair wanted to clarify responsibility for staff concerning political activities and participation. She had concerns about teachers leading classroom discussions on controversial topics in the news or that are science-related. “I have no specific concerns how the policy is written. I don’t think staff should be involved in politics while school is in session,” she said. “We need to ensure discussions can still take place in the classroom as long as staff doesn’t try to influence students.”

The committee meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, May 11.