From the Superintendent
As part of the 2015-18 Strategic Plan, the feasibility of a limited public pre-kindergarten program was studied and later approved by the Board of Directors. As a result, we have offered a public Pre-K program at MIW since 2019, with 32 four-year-olds enrolling each year, roughly half with special education services and half without the need of such services. The district has maintained a partnership with Child Development Services (CDS) throughout this time, providing a substantial amount of state funding to support students with special needs who are served by this program.
In 2023 the Maine Legislature passed Public Law 2023, c.643, Part W, shifting responsibility for all 3 and 4 year olds who require special education services from CDS to local school districts. The law also shifts responsibility to local districts for testing children who may be in need of special services beginning at age 2. This new law goes into effect beginning in 2027-28 and will markedly increase the number of preschool children who are directly served by the public schools.
In compliance with this new mandate, a Pre-K work group has been formed to plan for this shift in responsibility. Led by Director of Instructional Support Julie Olsen, the group includes teachers, administrators, parents, and a PK community provider. The group has been tasked with exploring multiple delivery models for meeting the law's intent, such as programming for eligible children at the yet-to-be-built new PK-1 school, sharing programming responsibility with community providers, and/or a combination of these approaches, among others. In anticipation of this shift in responsibility, design of the new school approved by voters in 2024 includes space to accommodate multiple Pre-K delivery models.
The Pre-K work group is expected to complete its plan by spring 2026, at which point it will be reviewed by the Curriculum Committee before it is sent to the Board of Directors for final approval no later than June 2026. This timeline will allow the district one year to prepare for full implementation of the plan beginning in 2027-28, when the law goes into effect.
On a related note, each school and district department annually develops a Site Improvement Plan (SIP) that is aligned with the district's overall strategic priorities. Principals and Directors present their 2025-26 SIPs and answered questions at the September 25 Board meeting.
Regards,
Jeff Porter 
5th graders are working together to save “Beachtown” from a hurricane. They are considering seawalls, levees, wetlands, and putting buildings up on stilts as potential solutions.
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Superintendent's Report
In case you missed the latest Superintendent's report at Thursday's Board meeting.
FREE Bus Classes are Back!
Give Fran a call or email to sign up! [email protected] 207-829-4800 x9
Deadline is October 31!
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📞 Contact for Questions
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to:
Melissa Porter
Phone: 207-829-4800 ext. 1
Email: [email protected]
🖊️ Signature Pages
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Mail your submission to:
MSAD #51
Attn: Melissa Porter
PO Box 6A
Cumberland, ME 04021
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District Office
357 Tuttle Road, Cumberland, ME 04021
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MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information
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 can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).
October 9 - Regular Meeting
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Committee meetings this week:
September 30 - Curriculum
October 3 - Finance
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One Campus Project Information
For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/
Progress at MIW
The foundation was poured and now time to insulate and backfill. 
Progress at the PK-1 School
Footing forms are going in.
Community Partners
Our Community Partners are strong supporters of various areas of the school. Without them, our students would not have many of the wonderful opportunities and experiences that they receive.
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357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
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