As I noted in a previous message, there are two important upcoming meetings regarding the future of MSAD 51's facilities. On Monday, February 6, Finance and Operations Director Scott Poulin and I will be presenting a short-
We currently have 21 modular classrooms on school grounds, mostly to handle continued growth at MIW, with additional modular units necessary in meeting future projected enrollment. It is important that we prepare for this continued growth now that a new school option has been tabled for the time being. Investment of financial resources to reconfigure the modular learning environments at both MIW and GMS, while also reconstructing play areas at MIW, has become necessary. Though we cannot provide the optimal learning and play conditions we would prefer for students with the current campus limitations, we can and must commit to upgrading our existing site plan for the next 5-7 years to help maintain the quality of educational programming we offer our students.
On Monday, February 13, the Board will be meeting for a special workshop to discuss steps aimed at restarting the process of building a fourth school building. This is time for the Board to begin defining the steps needed in setting a future referendum date for a new school. A fourth building is not just 'nice to have', but an absolute necessity in adequately meeting the learning needs of all students in facilities conducive to a high-performing school district. The district is committed to simultaneously working on a shorter-term plan for enhancing the campus, while running a parallel process in gaining the community's support for a fourth school building.
If you visit any of the schools over the next few weeks, you will notice security upgrades at the main entrances. Visitors will now be entering through two layers of locked doors instead of one, which not only adds a second layer of protection but allows our staff to more thoroughly screen visitors before they enter the buildings. I recognize that this may be perceived as an inconvenience or even unwelcoming to some visitors, but it is one of many security upgrades we have been making in our schools based on recommendations from the School Protective Division of the Department of Homeland Security. Our first interest is the safety of all students and staff and we thank you for your support and understanding of these essential changes.
Finally, as you probably have seen, the next few days are expected to be extremely cold. Despite the cold temperatures tomorrow, we expect to have a regular day of school. Just an added reminder that extra layers of clothing will be important as students make their way to and from school. For students waiting for buses tomorrow morning, we encourage them to wait in a car or inside their home. We have asked bus drivers to wait a bit longer for students to allow them to catch the bus.
Regards,
Jeff Porter