RSU No. 5 Home

 

March 1, 2010

Dear Parents, Staff and Community Members,

     Friday’s storm wreaked havoc in southern Maine as we dealt with flooding, road closures, and no power.  The strong winds and heavy rain had quite an impact on all of us.  Let’s hope March really will go out like a lamb because spring is just around the corner!

Strategic Framework – Performance Indicator Task Force
     Work continues on our strategic plan and the next stage is, in my opinion, the most important part of the process.  On Tuesday, March 2nd, the financial indicators task force will meet to develop indicators to monitor the effective use of financial resources to support a high performing school system.  This work will be finalized for Board consideration in late April.

     On Thursday, March 11th, a second task force will meet to discuss and determine appropriate performance indicators for all facets of student growth – including but not solely reliant upon test scores.  This task force will meet from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and we’d like broad community representation – so, please send me an email at welshs@rsu5.org by next Monday (3/8) if you are interested in participating.  Participants need only to be able to allocate time on March 11 to assist us with this work. A copy of the Adopted Strategic Framework can be found here

Budget FY11
    Five public budget meetings were held during the month of February in conjunction with the parent groups at our schools.  The meetings were well attended (between 45 and 75 in attendance at each) and gave me, and the Board, some valuable direction as we head into the difficult FY 11 budget process. 

   In summary, community members are proud of the educational program provided to our students and all agreed that there are no easy answers when considering the impact of RSU5’s $900,000 cuts in state subsidy.  I appreciate the engaged involvement of everyone who attended those meetings.  A summary report, including minutes from the meetings and feedback received in writing are posted at http://rsu5.org/budget.   

    On Tuesday, March 9th and Wednesday, March 10th we will present the proposed FY 11 Budget to the Board of Directors.  These meetings will be held in the Freeport High School Cafeteria beginning at 6:30 p.m.  The focus of this process is to find the best way to fund healthy, sustainable schools that give the children of all three towns the knowledge and skills to succeed as effective citizens, workers and leaders in the 21st century during the 2010-2011 school year – despite the challenges we face in this economy.  We encourage your attendance and participation as we begin this budget process.

Transportation Analysis
    Over the past few weeks we have received an overwhelming amount of feedback from the community on the bussing options considered by the Board.  The community feels strongly that it is important to maintain high quality bus drivers and to pursue a sound financial strategy for transportation services.

    At last Wednesday night’s meeting, the Board voted to keep our existing model for student transportation consisting of bus ownership, selective leasing, and contracted services for the next school year.  Specifically, the Board tasked the administration with finding the best bus lease option to transport Pownal students and to improve the quality of the buses that are currently in use.  We appreciate the involvement and feedback we received as the Board worked through this process.

Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, March 2nd – Financial Indicators Task Force meeting at Central Office 7:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 2nd – Strategic Planning Meeting at Central Office 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 4th – Communications Meeting at Central Office 7:30 a.m.
Monday, March 9th – Deadline for emailing interest in participating in Academic Performance Indicators Task Force Meeting
Tuesday, March 9th – RSU No. 5 Board of Directors’ Budget Meeting at Freeport High School Cafeteria 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10th – RSU No. 5 Board of Directors’ Budget Meeting at Freeport High School Cafeteria 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 11th – Strategic Plan:  Academic Performance Indicators Task Force Meeting
Friday, March 12th – Policy Committee Meeting at Central Office 9:30 a.m.

Your involvement and support is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Shannon

 

 

To access previous editions of "Delivering on the Mission" click here