MSAD #51 District Newsletter - February 10, 2023

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From the Superintendent

PorterEarlier this week, Director of Finance, Human Resources & Operations Scott Poulin and I presented a proposed Short-Term Facilities Plan to the Board of Directors for consideration. This plan bridges the gap for the next 5 years, which is the minimum timeframe before a potential longer-term plan could be implemented following the unsuccessful school bond referendum last November. Though not ideal, this short-term plan helps to alleviate some of the pressure posed by increasing enrollment and space constraints that currently exist and will continue until at least 2032. Though Maine as a whole will see significant student enrollment decreases in grades K-12 over the next decade, MSAD #51 is one of a handful of school districts in the state expected to keep growing during the same period. 

The plan calls for a phased approach starting in July 2023, with Phase I focused on Mabel I. Wilson School. The school currently has 14 modular classrooms on its grounds, but it is not enough going forward. Phase I includes adding a second modular building at MIW containing 12 classrooms, demolition of Tuttletown accompanied by the construction of a new playground, removal of two smaller modular units, and expansion of the perimeter fence line to provide more play space at the school. Phase I is expected to be completed by the time school starts in late August 2023 and would provide needed relief from overcrowded conditions that first began back in 2016. 

Phase II would take place during the summer of 2024 at Greely Middle School. In order to accommodate current and future enrollment at the school, this plan would remove the 7 modular classrooms on the grounds and replace them with a 12-classroom unit similar to the structure currently at MIW. Depending on the timeline for a long-term plan going forward, it is possible that GMS will need a second 12-classroom unit by 2026-27 if a permanent solution is not close to fruition at that time.

This Monday evening, the Board will meet for a special workshop to restart preliminary discussions around a long-term, permanent solution to the district's space constraints. The Short-term Plan is the best plan we can activate for the next 5 years, but it is a temporary measure only that is not adequate for the long-term. The fact remains that the community is very much in need of a fourth school building to educate its expanding student population for the 21st Century. The Board will be deliberating on the process, timeframe, and scope of a school project that can both meet the needs of students, while balancing the community's ability to financially support the project. 

Regards,
Jeff Porter


Celebrating 22 years of therapy dog services. Pictured is Harper in Ms. Allen's Health class at Greely High School.
 

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

Short- Term Facilities Plan

Please take a few minutes to become familiar with the MSAD #51 Short-term Facilities Plan Board presentation from 2/6/2023 which is scheduled for a Board vote on February 13. The full presentation can also be found here.

School Building Project 

To find more information and updates regarding the School Building Project click here.

Stay Connected

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YouTube Channel MSAD #51
 

MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information

Effective August 22, unless otherwise noted, all meetings will take place at 6:00 pm in the Gyger Room at Greely High School.  For those of you unfamiliar with that room, the Gyger Room is where the Board met pre-COVID and can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).


February 13 - Workshop - Building Project
March 6 - Regular Meeting

Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo).

Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos

 

Community Partners

Parent University screening of The Upstanders:

The Greely PTO, in partnership with MSAD 51, invites you to join us for an important Parent University screening of the iNDIEFLIX documentary, The Upstanders, on Wednesday, February 15th at 6pm in the Gyger Room at GHS. This film examines cyber-bullying and provides practical tips and resources to change the narrative - to stand up, speak out and support - and become an Upstander, not a Bystander. It is unsettling and uplifting, causing us all to examine our behavior, inspiring us to do better, be better, and stand up against victimization and cyber-bullying. Following the 56-minute film, there will be an interactive panel. For more information and to register, click here. Online access is available from Friday, 2/10 through Thursday, 2/16 via a limited number of viewers.

 

Community Notices

GHS IB Quarterly Report
 

Useful Links

Employment Opportunities

MSAD #51 Website

2018-2021 Strategic Plan

District Calendar

GHS Athletics Schedule

Greely Center for the Arts Events

 

If you would like something included in our weekly newsletter, please send a brief write up with title along with a JPEG or PNG image of your flyer (if applicable) to Melissa Porter for approval. The deadline each week is Sunday. Any requests received after Sunday will be reviewed for possible submission in the following week's newsletter. All approved submissions will be posted on the district's website.

Not all items in this email are MSAD #51 sponsored programs. If you need more information, please contact the group or organization that is sponsoring the event.

Maine School Administrative District #51
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us   |    207.829.4800