05/21/2023
If you are able, I encourage you to attend the public meeting to be held on May 23rd to discuss the RSU16 District Budget. Poland is responsible for about 67% of the RSU16 budget, so I believe it’s important for taxpayers to understand what they will be voting for on June 13th and have an opportunity to ask questions so you can make an informed vote.
May 11, 2023
Dear Staff, Communities and Families of RSU 16,
Budget Update
On April 10, the School Board approved the proposed 2023-2024 RSU 16 Budget. Next, the proposed budget moves to the District Budget Meeting for further discussion and a vote on May 23, 2023 at the PRHS auditorium. All residents are invited to attend the May 23 District Budget Meeting at 6:30PM. The District Budget Meeting is an opportunity to see how the budget process was completed and get any budget questions answered so registered voters can cast an informed school budget vote. From there, the proposed budget then goes to a budget validation referendum vote at each town office on June 13, 2023.
ESSA Data Dashboard
Each year, RSU 16 must share with families, under the Title I statute, our dashboard distributed by the Maine Department of Education. To access the dashboard, go to https://www.maine.gov/doe/dashboard
Last Day of School
The last day of school is Tuesday, June 20. PRHS and WMS dismissal is 11AM. Elementary schools dismiss at approximately 12:15PM. There is no school on Monday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday.
Title I Elementary Summer School
PCS and ESS, both Title I schools (MCS did not qualify this school year), were approved by the Maine Department of Education to receive Title I Reallocation funds to hold summer school. The total amount awarded is $58,000.
“State Test”
Achievement testing using the State of Maine's new Through Year Assessment started this month for students in grades 3-8 and in the 2nd year of high school (10th graders). During the pandemic, the state of Maine switched its assessment system to the utilization of the NWEA assessment. NWEA had been used in RSU 16 for our benchmarking purposes for several years prior to the state of Maine's adoption. The state of Maine is required to conduct achievement testing annually as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act which mandates an accountability system. This system tests achievement of common core standards in math and reading for students in the grades 3-8 and in the 2nd year of high school.
Next RSU 16 Superintendent
Please join RSU 16 in welcoming Todd Sanders as the next Superintendent starting July 1, 2023. Todd is currently in his fourth year as Superintendent of MSAD 58 (Phillips, Avon, Kingfield, and Strong). He brings 34 years of educational experiences including serving in positions of educational technician, teacher, coach, assistant principal, athletic director and principal.
Futures Task Force
The Futures Task Force will develop and present recommendations to the School Board at the September 2023 Board meeting to achieve cost savings and address our issues, while maintaining quality education for students. The task force does not make the final decision, the School Board will make the final decision.
Task Force membership: Ken Healey/Todd Sanders, Amy Hediger, Erik Anderson, Shawn Vincent, Jessica Madsen, Kaitlynn Brown, Brandi Comeau, Jenny Rose, Jo St Peter, John Hawley, Jacque Russo, Jennifer Gagnon, D'Arcy Robinson, Steve Robinson, Brittany Hemond, Robert Klar, Terri Arsenault, Randy Lautz, Angela Swenson, Elizabeth Martin, Emily Rinchich, Mary Martin.
Sincerely,
Ken and Amy
