Planning continues on several fronts at Wiscasset Elementary School to further serve the youngest students, including those the school committee recently agreed to serve with special education.

In her leadership update for the committee's April 8 meeting, WES Principal Stacy Clements said the school is working with Partners in Education (PIE) on a capital campaign "to enhance our outdoor space incorporating elements of a nature-based PreK playground space within the current playground space." The campaign kicks off April 18 with a readathon in school, Clements wrote.

WES is also working with Lori Whitmore from Maine Department of Education "to get to know kids coming in and potential hiring needs, getting (postings) ready to go out, (and getting) additional materials for the classroom" through Maine DOE such as furniture, occupational therapy (OT) materials, equipment and resources. That all follows Wiscasset's agreement to take part in Cohort 2, Maine's second round of schools taking over pre-kindergarteners' special ed services which Child Development Services has been responsible for; the state currently plans to have all Maine's public schools doing this as of 2028.

Clements said WES is working with Maine DOE to fund part of the renovations in the old book room to enhance the space to use for PreK, including adding a bathroom.

In other updates, Sarah Hubert, WMHS principal, said the math team placed third in the East/West Conference state meet at University of Maine at Farmington; a grant helped sophomores to visit Southern Maine Community College; music students attended District III's and Honors Festival; the school applied April 2 for a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant and will get word in May; and WMHS hosted a Youth Outdoor Expo.

The committee accepted with regret WMHS math teacher Erica Holbrook's resignation effective June 30. Holbrook's going to graduate school, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kimberly Andersson explained. Committee member Jodi Hardwick called Holbrook's leaving a huge loss, and before the vote she and other members drew laughs in inquiring about opposing the resignation.

By then, the meeting was about four hours in. Nearly all of it was in executive, or closed door, session over possible student expulsions. Back in open session after, the committee went with two of three would-be expulsions.