By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

The blueprint on how SAD 61 returns to full-time in-person instruction is in place, but when the plan is enacted is anyone’s guess right now.

The target date was Jan. 11, but after SAD 61 had to shift to 100% remote instruction just before the Christmas holiday due to Covid-19 cases, Superintendent Al Smith informed directors at their Dec. 21 meeting that he would not recommend full in-person “at this time.”

“Given everything that has taken place, seeing 2 to 3 to 400 cases per day (in the state), I would not recommend it (in-person) at this time,” Smith said. “It’s not safe time to do this.

We are prepared, should we have the opportunity, which I am still optimistic that before the end of the school happens, the kids will have a chance to come back full-time.”

Instead, SAD 61 will move into 2021 using the same hybrid and 100% remote models when the school year resumes on Jan. 4.

After Bridgton Director Karla Swanson-Murphy recognized the efforts of administrators and staff to craft a return-to-school plan, Bridgton Director Pam Brucker commended district officials for how they’ve approached creating a safe environment during this pandemic, while also bringing a degree of instruction consistency during these unpredictable times.

“What we’ve done well, compared to other districts, is our kids started either hybrid or 100% remote. They’ve stayed that way. This was the first time we had to change to 100% remote. It’s been good for the kids. For them to move from hybrid to remote to hybrid is not good for them. I think it disrupts their education,” she said. “I just would like to say, and I know you will, monitor the numbers very carefully to see where we are before we reopen.”

Casco Director Stan Buchanan favors SAD 61 staying remote as Maine’s virus numbers continue to surge post holidays. 

Smith has spoken to CDC officials, as well as other school administrators, regarding how they are proceeding.

“We are monitoring the situation,” he said. “Everyone is planning — with the exception couple of schools — to come back. I don’t know what the cards will have for us, no one knows. Obviously, we made the decision to go fully remote, when enough cases came to surface all at once.”

Smith reported that there were “no major events in the schools,” but since some cases had surfaced, SAD 61 officials felt it was in the best interest to go remote, for now.

“The CDC gave us compliments, noting that this was a community spread, not a school spread,” Smith said. “The schools have been safe. I can’t say enough about nurses and contact tracing that has been done. I wouldn’t bring kids back unless I feel it’s safe to do so. I am comfortable that our schools are in a good place.”

While the news that SAD 61 will hold off on full-time in-person was disappointing for some parents, “they understood it was the right decision,” Smith added.

Smith said the bulk of Covid cases involve maintenance staff and bus drivers, less than 25% involve students.

“Everyone is concerned about after Christmas because of the spike we saw from the Thanksgiving break. I anticipate, unfortunately, another surge a couple of weeks after Christmas,” Smith added. “This is a horrible event. I cross my fingers every day. Every time I turn around, something changes.”

Bridgton Director Lee Bearse asked if SAD 61 is using the 15-minute Covid tests, that has been used successfully at other Maine schools. Smith said that since SAD 61 has not experienced significant delays in receiving test results, the district has not looked into the quick tests at this point.

“It might be a tool for our tool box,” Bearse said.

School leader reports

• Lake Region High School Principal Maggie Thornton said her school has been fortunate that some teachers with smaller class sizes have been meeting with students five days each week (in-person and remotely) if the students are able — “that’s been a nice bonus for those kids.”

“The monumental task will be looking at the Semester 2 schedule. It is dependent upon how many kids decide to stay remote and how many want to come back hybrid or five days,” she said. 

She impressed upon parents to keep checking their student’s Schoology pages once a week to see where kids stand and if they have any missing assignments. 

“That is really the gateway into a teacher’s grade book to see how your kid is doing,” Thornton said.

Thornton feels LRHS in a very good position for whatever the future holds, and “teachers are really being troopers and being flexible with whatever comes their way.”

• Lake Region Vocational Director David Morse spoke on how certifications students earn through various programs place them at greater advantage when applying for jobs, either right out of school or while in college.

“Students that have these certifications, when they go apply for a job, and other students from other schools apply for the same job, this gives them an advantage on their resume. It stands out. Employers take notice. We’ve seen that over and over,” Morse said.

One example Morse used was the story of a culinary arts student, who applied for a job last spring at a new restaurant that had opened in the area. 

“She applied, and when they saw her ServSafe certification on her resume, they just didn’t hire her for the position she applied for, they made her a shift supervisor. That benefited her right out of the gate, and she was still a high school student at the time,” Morse said. “We’ve seen it work for other students, as well.” 

Morse said other students enroll in vocational programs as a pathway to other careers. Two years ago, a student took the automotive program because he wanted a background in mechanical information. 

“He wanted to get some experience with mechanical things because he was going to UMO for engineering, that’s where he is right now,” Morse said. “Another student took construction for two years. He wanted to go to CMCC (Central Maine Community College) for a two-year program in architecture. That’s what he did. Right now, he is working from his home as an architect for a company, somewhere. He’s making good money.”

• Lake Region Middle School Principal Matt Lokken received positive feedback from parents following parent-teacher conferences Dec. 2 and Dec. 10. Teachers had a chance to discuss issues or concerns regarding remote learning. Those talks came in handy when SAD 61 went fully remote last week.

“After six days of 100% remote, I heard from just one parent with a question, so it supports parents were aware of what to expect with remote learning. They knew where to access information. Teachers have done a great job preparing students for it,” Lokken said.

To bring some holiday cheer, health teacher Steve Mercer put together a holiday video that included a compilation of clips of poetry, storytelling, songs and music. Meanwhile, band and chorus teacher Jennifer Chaloult created a virtual performance with her chorus kids in Grades 6, 7 and 8. 

“Kids sang various tracks of a song and she put them together to make a virtual choral experience,” Lokken said. The video will be posted on the LRMS website.

If LRMS returns to full-time in-person, a few changes will occur. For one, to accommodate bigger numbers and 3-feet social distancing in classrooms, LRMS will need to expand to four cohorts. Also, instead of letting kids eat in classrooms — to meet 6-foot distancing — kids will eat in the gym, cafeteria and library. 

“It also helps us with staff coverage,” Lokken said.

• Adult Education Director Madelyn Litz has seen a definite “uptick” in enrollment during the pandemic. Since she last reported to the school board, Adult Ed has enrolled nine new students.

“We are 15% beyond last year, 75 students right now, which is ahead of where we were last year at this time. We believe the whole Covid pandemic is really reflective in that uptick in enrollment,” she said.

Ten of the college transition (program) students have successfully completed their first semester in college, another positive sign. Litz said Adult Ed tracks “transition” students through the first semester.  

In other school board news:

• Using Covid-19 funds, SAD 61 has installed new ionization systems at Stevens Brook and Songo Locks Schools. The systems are about 85% completed at the high school and middle school. HVAC work has started in the high school auditorium with about 30% completed.

• Food Service staff continues to operate mobile sites at numerous locations with students attending schools every other day.

• A few requests have been made by outside groups to use school facilities, but those requests have either been denied or not processed at this time due to ongoing Covid-19 concerns.

• Delores Lyons was approved as a permanent substitute (part-time, three days per week) at Stevens Brook Elementary School. Previously, Lyons was a SAD 61 ed tech for six years. She is a retired special education teacher. There were three applicants, one was interviewed.

• The following athletic stipends were approved: Doug Banks as JV girls’ basketball coach ($3,915); Kurt Berger as Alpine Ski Co-Coach ($3,883.50); Scott Davis as Alpine Ski Co-Coach ($3,883.50); Chris Jordan as 8th Grade girls’ basketball coach ($2,715).