From the state's cell phone ban to making sure students are where assigned, Wiscasset Middle High School Principal Chris Hennessey told the school committee Sept. 8, students are not pushing back. 

Six school days in, Hennessey said, “ I just can’t state enough, how proud I am of our faculty and staff, and our students … (The lack of pushback) is because we stuck to (the rules) right at the beginning. We were very clear about what our expectations were, and kids understand it.”

Upperclassmen have been seeing how the past behaviors were not good for the school community, he said. “They recognize it.”

The way things are going feels wonderful, Hennessey said. “I’ve just been very impressed. I am convinced we can sustain this … So, lots to be proud of, for our kids and the folks who work with them here, and lots to look forward to.”

Chair Tracey Whitney commented, “I’m delighted. Thank you.” 

“Take some credit for getting the message out, too. Enforcement’s a pretty big deal,” Vice Chair John Merry told Hennessey. 

Hennessey said he and Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Brandon Rogers encourage people to come to the homecoming games Saturday, Sept. 26, to support and cheer for the students. Fall sports participation has been extraordinary, and the Wolverines “shocked” the Brunswick Dragons in varsity volleyball the night of WMHS’s open house, Hennessey said. “It was awesome. People were cheering them on, it was an unexpected win, and they dominated.” 

And boys soccer coach Shanon Cotta told the committee about the team’s 4-1 win Sept. 8 over Isleboro.  “A big step forward for the program,” Cotta said. 

Wiscasset Elementary School Principal Stacy Clements also said things are going well there. “I feel like the general feeling of the building is just really positive. I feel like the staff is really working together. We spent a lot of time in our pre-planning days collaborating and it shows in the building. The kids were exhausted by Friday and so were the teachers,” she said, drawing laughter.

“But it was a really, really positive start to the school year. So I'm hopeful we're going to keep that momentum going. And we have some of our professional development purposely planned in a way to keep that collaboration happening. I think if we do that, we’ll be able to keep that (momentum) up for sure.”

After her update, member Christopher Hart brought up to Clements the proposed federal changes to Head Start. He described the federal funding as imperiled, and he asked if there was anything to do different locally, “in anticipation.” 

“Not at this point,” Clements said.

Hart noted an online comment period is underway. “Members of the public are encouraged to voice their opinions …,” he said.  The proposal and comment button are at https://www.regulations.gov/document/ACF-2026-0595-0001

The site said comment closes at 11:59 p.m. Oct. 6. A  notice states the rule changes would "significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations ... and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and physical exercise for young children … These changes are expected to result in shifts in the composition of children and families accessing Head Start services across demographic, linguistic, and geographic lines.

“Some subpopulations may experience changes in program access or service delivery depending on local implementation decisions. At the same time, reductions in certain prescriptive requirements may allow programs to reallocate resources, strengthen emphasis on core health, nutrition, and physical activity priorities, and expand overall enrollment capacity," the notice reads.

Also Sept. 8, the committee accepted, with regret, WES social worker Sam Giese's resignation.