As we close out the 2025-26 school year on Thursday, June 18, a reminder that the last day is an early release. Dismissal for grades 6-12 is 11:30 am and K-5 is 12:30 pm.
2026-27 BUDGET PASSES
Voters approved the 2026-27 district budget of $56,767,888 on Tuesday, June 9 by a narrow margin of 51.6% in favor. This concludes the public process of the upcoming fiscal year, which officially begins on July 1. Work is already underway developing the 2027-28 budget, which will be more challenging given the One Campus transition to new grade spans that will occur in one year.
ONE CAMPUS PROJECT SUMMER CLOSURE INFO
Due to the One Campus project, Summer 2026 will be very busy on campus. As a result of multiple projects occurring simultaneously, many areas of the campus will be closed or partially closed to the community for large portions of the summer months as outlined below:
- Campus Drive (the road that runs from Main Street to the GMS access road) will be closed from June 22-August 17 (tentative). This is due to road, sidewalk, and parking lot improvements and construction at Carolyn F. Small School (CSS) and MIW.
- Mabel I. Wilson School (building and grounds) will be completely closed June 22-August 17 (tentative) due to roof replacement, parking lot and access road upgrades, and internal building reconfigurations. This closure extends to the MIW playground, parking lot, and grounds.
- GHS will be accessible on the Gyger Way side of the building only (entrance on GCA side will be closed).
- GHS Science wing will be closed from June 22-August 17 (tentative) due to the voter-approved SRRF (revolving renovation) project to upgrade HVAC systems.
- GMS access road and facility will be open for extended year services and recreation programs throughout the summer.
- Turf field will be open throughout the summer and can be accessed via Gyger Way.
- The District Office will be open Monday-Thursday throughout the summer, but will only be accessed one way using the entrance nearest the district office building.
*Areas in red will remain closed for the summerGHS ATHLETIC REVIEW
At the June 3 Board meeting, I presented a Title IX Update. This presentation includes general information about Title IX and how it relates to athletics; findings from a recent review of all GHS athletic programs; and recommendations going forward to upgrade and respond to areas of athletic programs that require more attention. A follow up presentation is scheduled in October.
NEW STRATEGIC PLAN
On June 3, the Board approved a new Strategic Plan. This year-long process to develop a new plan included the voices of 719 survey respondents, along with 64 stakeholders who participated in Focus Groups related to gathering more feedback from the survey results. The new 2026-30 Strategic Plan is the first one since 2018 and will shape the direction of MSAD 51 for the next four years, with three overarching priorities:
- One Campus: Building for Now, Building for the Future
- Meeting the Needs of Each Learner: Through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports
- One Community: Connected and Thriving Within and Beyond School Walls
Many thanks to all stakeholders who participated in developing this plan, with special thanks to the Curriculum Committee, Leadership Team, Director of Academic Services Mar-E Trebilcock, and the Board of Directors for shepherding this process to fruition.
My very best for the remaining days of the school year and the summer ahead.