By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

While the public posed no questions or made any comments regarding the proposed SAD 61 budget during Monday’s hearing, Superintendent Al Smith experience will likely be different when he meets with local officials.

Smith was scheduled to discuss the $34.849 million budget with the Casco Select Board Tuesday, and will make trips to Naples on Monday and Bridgton on Tuesday.

Finance Director Sherrie Proctor pointed out that taxpayers can review budget documentation by accessing that information on the SAD 61 website (www.lakeregionschools.org).

The district budget meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Region High School gym.

The budget validation referendum vote in Bridgton, Casco and Naples is set for Tuesday, May 23. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In other school board news:

Trip to Augusta — Lake Region Middle School eighth graders Jayla Davis and Madison Olsen, along with School Counselor Jenny Dunn, traveled to Augusta on Monday to take part in the

27th annual Girls Day at the State House, put on by the Maine Women’s Lobby. 

The girls spent the day learning about state government, took a tour of the capitol building, and got to see how a bill becomes a law.  They also participated in a mock session and got to sit in the House of Representatives. 

Throughout the day, Jayla and Madison got to know and interact with female legislators, lobbyists, and representatives who are making a change in the state. They heard speeches from the state’s first-ever female Speaker of the House, Shenna Bellows and the first-ever female Governor, Janet Mills. These powerful females were inspiring to the girls, and as Governor Mills said, “the best people for the job, can be women!”

High School honors — LRHS Principal Maggie Thornton reported that Rachel Lake and Ezra Gronlund were recently selected Western Maine Conference Citizenship Award winners. They will be recognized at an upcoming ceremony at the Italian Heritage Center.

Melissa Mayo has been selected recipient of the Principal’s Award, given by the Maine Principals’ Association. Melissa, daughter of Amy and John Mayo of Bridgton, will be honored with 100 other Maine seniors at a banquet April 1.

Successful fundraiser — LRHS students showed their community spirit by holding a talent show — the Shamrock Showdown — to benefit a local family, whose home was destroyed by fire.

Principal Thornton said the event attracted 100 to 150 people and featured a wide range of talented acts. Thornton is hopeful that the Showdown becomes an annual event.

Success Story — LRVC Director David Morse concluded his report with a student success story, which embodies the philosophy of vocational education.

A former LRVC student stopped by to show off his new pick-up truck. Morse explained the student faced “cognitive challenges” while in school and contemplated dropping out his sophomore year.

Work ethic, Morse noted, was never an issue for the young man, who began in the vocational program’s Diversified Occupations in Grades 8-10, and then switched to Automotive for Grades 11-12. After graduation, he was hired by a local towing company, is on call 24/7, does road maintenance work, and draws a good paycheck.

This is a success story “we’re very excited about,” Morse said.

Back to Visiting — For the first time since 2020 when Covid-19 shut down high school student travel to visit colleges, eight Lake Region students will head to the Boston area during April break to check out schools there.

The School Board approved the overnight field trip to the University of New England, Boston University and Northeastern University lead by LRHS METS (Maine Educational Talent Search) Advisor Amy Hannah. The entourage will also include students from Nokomis H.S. and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

Test Scores Reveal — At the next School Board meeting, set for Monday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in the LRVC Great Room, Assistant Superintendent Pat Hayden will give an overview and explanation of recent state test scores.

Well Testing — Water tests of wells serving Lake Region High School came back a “little high” and “below” standards.

Supply was switched using a well located to the back side of the school, which tested out “below” standard. The well to the front of the school tested “little high.” Corrective measures will be taken to bring the water in accordance to standards.

Personnel — When Michelle Gayne accepted the Adult Education Director job, it was her first time being a director and her first time working in a K-12 district.

“While I learned a lot, ultimately, I was just not the best fit for the position or for the district,” she said.

Gayne submitted her resignation, effective June 30. She plans to remain in the area.

• Justin Vachon resigned as a Stevens Brook Elementary School teacher, effective March 17.

• Michelle Lemelin, a Stevens Brook teacher strategist, is transferring to a Grade 4 teacher position for the remainder of the school year, replacing Justin Vachon.

• Haloye Johnson resigned as a Crooked River Elementary music teacher, effective the end of the 2022-23 school year.

• Jessie Cochran was approved as a Special Education Ed Tech (self-contained classroom) at Stevens Brook Elementary School.