KINGFIELD - - In a regularly scheduled MSAD #58 school board meeting, the concept and perception of a new program called the Freshman Academy was discussed in great detail. After a staff overview of the Academy to date, discussions by freshman representatives followed. They spoke on behalf of at least 32 of the students at Mt. Abram who have demonstrated a high level of discontent with the program.

For the second time this year, Mt. Abram staff members went into detail about the program and what they're trying to accomplish with this year's freshman.

The program is to help create a positive transition for students entering high school and foster greater success. Staff members have said that students who fail or fall behind in their freshman year tend to be at higher risk of dropping out.

"The most difficult year in high school has proven to be the freshman year," Principal Jeanne Tucker explained before she turned it over to the freshman staff.

MTA freshman teacher Andy Theriault then presented a slide show about the Freshman Academy and their progress to date. Also called to the board were freshman teachers Jim Danala, Heather Moody and Polly MacMichael.

Theriault spoke of a concept they've implemented called community learning where on the blue day schedule, students meet as a full class of 67 or in groups. On these days the four freshman teachers may address the development of good work habits, common vocabulary, thinking strategies and other topics to help students succeed as freshman. They also work on projects that relate to what they're learning in their core classes as well as hosting an occasional visitor from the business world or community.

Also on these days teachers can meet among themselves to plan strategies for individual student needs.

Theriault explained that they see students making deadlines and following directions better. They're becoming more independent learners and moving to a higher level of thinking, he explained, which he attributes to the community learning time.

Theriault told board members that they know their strategy is working because they see fewer incompletes and failures, fewer disciplinary issues, positive feedback and better communication between students, teachers and parents.

Freshmen Delani Littlefield and Hillary Chase were there representing their class with the support of a signed petition of 32 other freshman and 19 upper classmen. One of the issues that brought them before the school board was because a proposal to disband the freshman academy, which was submitted by Littlefield, was not acted on by the school's governance steering committee.

"We are losing valuable class time that impacts how much material and how in-depth we are able to go for each unit and topic," Chase explained.

"The Freshman Academy teachers don't always agree so we are always getting mixed messages from different teachers for the same directions," Littlefield said.

Other complaints, which have been adjusted by the teachers ranged from not following the same bell schedule as other schoolmates, being discriminated against and social deprivation with the lack of interaction with older students.

Littlefield explained that it was unfair that their class was chosen for a newly developing strategy that is progressively changing with time.

"With the evolving schedule, not overly organized teachers and frustrated freshmen, it feels like a boiling pot that's about to blow its lid rather then a comfort zone for new learning," Chase said.

The freshmen teachers explained that they've heard some of these complaints before and have made adjustments to meet student needs. And did say that there were some other complaints or issues that were new to them and said they'll address them as needed.

Some school board members suggested the students should be patient with their teachers, but others said a change in the perception of the freshman academy may be needed.

"With new 9th graders coming in, one of the most important functions of the transition is to make them feel that they are part of the high school. Even the fact of labeling the freshman academy sets them apart. The perception is out there and certainly strong enough to drive these students to come here," Director Alan Morse said.

"The governance system at the high school broke down," Superintendent Quenten Clark explained. "As most of my administrators know, they don't want their teachers, students or the parents to come to talk to me because when that happens it becomes out of their control. It would be very much to the staff's advantage if they work with these students and didn't have school board members and superintendents making random decisions based on their perception of what's right and wrong. So I do think that you folks need to work with these students," Clark said.

Clark commended the class representatives for their actions and gave them encouragement by saying, "You can't always get the entire big plan all at once. By speaking out and putting pressure on the system and the system does respond… So I think you guys coming here is a good thing. I think the fact that you're willing to speak out for yourselves is important," Clark added.

"We are confident that you can work with each other if you have good faith from both sides," said Morse.

Members decided to call the students and teachers back to a meeting in January to hear and discuss the progress between the teachers and students.

Chairman Mike Pond initiated the next meeting with the students and teachers. "I would like these two young ladies to know what they have just gone through and experienced through this diplomatic process … whether it was just a perception or not that nothing would change just because you came. I want you to know that things do change when you come," Pond said to the students. "And when you come in great numbers many things could change… You can drive the process if you understand the process. I just want to let you know that your efforts don't just go by the wayside."