Carrabassett School committee discusses education forum, budget



Carrabassett School Committee (left to right): Wendy Russell, Carrabassett Town Clerk and Administrative Asst. to the committee; Dr. Regina Campbell, superintendent; Steve Arner, chair; Danielle London, vice chair; and committee members Erin Demshar and Meredith Swallow meet May 17. (Sue Davis photo)

CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Chair Steve Arner called the regular meeting of the Carrabassett Valley School Committee to order at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 17. After approval of minutes, Arner opened up the meeting to public comment.

On behalf of the Irregular, Sue Davis asked if there might be students at the high school level who might be interested in interning with her at the paper to open up the field of journalism.

Superintendent report

Carrabassett Valley School Superintendent Dr. Regina Campbell opened the discussion of the importance of evaluation, that it is a yearly part of good administration, also related to contract renewal. The scheduled executive session for Dr. Campbell’s evaluation, etc., part of the agenda was moved to the end of the meeting.

School budget meeting

The select board has set the date for approval of the school budget for 6 p.m., Monday, June 6, at the Carrabassett Town Office. As Carrabassett has no school of its own and is required by state statute to educate its children, the town “tuitions” students to neighboring schools, primarily MSAD #58, Stratton School, and Carrabassett Valley Academy. The town pays a rate set by the state for high school and pays tuition to elementary and middle schools based on the actual costs of education provided by the receiving schools based on tuition agreements. The committee reviewed the detail and approved the 2022-2023 budget of $1,864,827.

Education forum follow-up

Opening the discussion of the recent public education forum held April 27 at the Carrabassett Public Library, Dr. Campbell noted that secondary school options dominated the discussion–also indicated by a survey the committee conducted in the fall of 2021. The committee’s primary concern was the long-term viability of MSAD #58’s Mt. Abram High School.

MSAD #58’s strategic planning is due to start up again. In the meantime, the committee discussed the option of a doing a feasibility study, taking into consideration:

* State financial responsibility to educate children in unorganized territories

* Potential for partnering with neighboring districts in building a high school

* Concern about jeopardizing Mt. Abram’s viability

Enrichment

Committee member Meredith Swallow asked about the committee’s role in engaging area students in after-school programming. All children in all area schools in which Carrabassett has students would have to be included, which makes transportation an issue. All realized and agreed that the Carrabassett Valley Recreation Department should participate in if not lead the planning. Dr. Campbell suggested that such involvement went beyond the committee’s responsibility.

The committee’s administrative assistant Wendy Russell and Dr. Campbell agreed to reach out to Deb Bowker, Director of Carrabassett’s Recreation Department. Committee member Danielle London thinks transportation will be the problem, noting that Stratton School is very strict about who rides the bus. Requesting committee member input, Dr. Campbell will draw up a proposal.

Tuition agreements

The committee is currently negotiating the details of tuition with MSAD #58 and the Eustis School Department. Dr. Campbell has talked with superintendents Todd Sanders and Barry London respectively. The committee noted that Carrabassett is paying 35% of the cost of transportation, which given the reorganization of MSAD #58 to a middle school in Strong may be renegotiated. They also noted a separate line item for bus maintenance. The Carrabassett bus driver had just had the bus at the garage last week, which might explain that line item. Dr. Campbell will check this out as well.

The previous and retired superintendent, George Joseph, has asked Dr. Campbell if he might keep the laptop computer that he still has from Carrabassett. All agreed that that would be fine.

After asking if anyone would like to attend the Oct. 22 State School Board Association meeting, chair Arner moved to go into executive session.

The next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. June 6, preceding the town meeting on the school budget.

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