It was hard to stand out at the Dec. 12 Community School District school board meeting because the highlight came first. Administrators and board members followed a performance by Boothbay Region High School’s (BRHS) choir, who sang several holiday songs for the encouraging audience.  

As the board got down to business, vice-chair Bruce MacDonald talked about using technology to help integrate CSD schools with others. The idea came from the CSD long range planning committee’s discussions about sharing resources in the area to cut costs and expand educational opportunities. He suggested starting exploring opportunities at the high school level, specifically between BRHS and Wiscasset Middle High school. 

“Hopefully (we can) find a solution that doesn’t involve real estate and bricks and mortar, but takes advantage of the technology available,” MacDonald said. He later added, “there’s been all this talk about that we haven't looked at regionalization. Well, I'm looking at it, and I think it can be done in a different way than having to put up new buildings.” 

The board asked Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) Superintendent Robert Kahler to explore ideas including live remote classes to supplement courses outside one school's catalogue. They asked Kahler to deliver an initial report in March, far enough away to not conflict with budget work.  

According to Kahler, overall budget expenditures are on target. However, he said this does include an overextended facilities budget, which was expected and previously discussed with the board. Kahler added the school will manage expenditures in other areas to make up for the difference. 

Kahler gave the board an update from the board of trustees who met Dec. 6 and toured the middle-elementary school. He said the trustees directed architects to deliver cost-saving ideas for a renovation project to be brought back for a future referendum. The trustees also requested updated costs for repairs since the existing conditions reports may be outdated. He also said a priority list for repairs to the high school will be finalized for the spring referendum. 

In other business, BRHS student body president Colby Allen said the Interact Club raised $1,500 for the Lewiston Strong fundraiser to support the families of November’s mass shooting. He said they presented a check to Lewiston police who came for the lighted truck parade and First National Bank gave a $1,000 match towards the cause.  

Boothbay Region Elementary School Principal Shawna Kurr discussed what she called the most exciting and powerful professional development she’s been a part of in years. She said the training, “The Regulated Classroom,” is about how adults can recognize their own regulation to better support the needs of their students. She said the training model allows those who take the course to then train their peers. 

In public forum, BRHS parent Jenn Whitney spoke about the training, which she took as a teacher. She raised concerns about teacher burnout and how the training will help her, fellow teachers and students. “The dysregulated student is so hard to tackle, and you can't get to the learning before you get to the behavior first,” she said.  

BRHS Principal Tricia Campbell gave an update on the class of 2024, reporting 75% of seniors have already applied to college. She said many students told her they did so to focus on their final high school year. She said 19 students have submitted 100 applications to 57 schools; So far, eight students have received acceptance letters and two will go into the military.  

“Hats off to the class of 2024; these kids are really focused,” she said “... It's just an exciting time and the fact that they are so focused I just am really proud of them.”