The Feb. 13 Community School District School Board meeting was a mix of summaries and highlights. The board discussed the season’s accomplishments and participated in a musical exercise that staff said ties into student success.  

Students from the middle school leadership team updated the board on the year’s activities, including dances, spirit week and a Valentine’s Day fundraiser that made over $1,000 for the leadership fund.

In his report, high school athletic director Allan Crocker praised strong performances by Seahawk teams and highlighted several people. He congratulated Hannah Hills, who he said qualified for every event at the state swim meet. He also commended Finn Harkins, saying he had one of the best offensive seasons in the school’s basketball history. Crocker said he averaged 20.6 points per game and was the second boys’ basketball player ever to score over 40 points in a game. Crocker also said indoor track athlete Karen Higgins automatically qualified for the state championships in the one and two-mile run, setting a school record for both.  

Middle school athletic director Dennis Dacus commended the undefeated girls’ basketball team, which won the Busline League small division championship. In addition, he said the cheering team came in second place at its championships, ahead of 13-time champion Medomak Valley.  

Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler announced the district has successfully completed its first payroll period since moving the finance department in-house. He also updated the board on the trustees’ referendum approval for a $30 million renovation project for Boothbay Region Elementary School. 

“I still think we’re in bizzaro land with one committee going out in the community asking for $30 million,” said school board member Bruce MacDonald, who has expressed interest in discussing board unification. “They are doing the hard work, they are asking the right questions but we’re getting sidelined.” 

Elementary school principal Shawna Kurr energized the board with a musical exercise. She asked each board member to identify their current emotional state. She then led the group as they synchronized beating music sticks in changing rhythms to Bryan Adams’ “Summer Of '69.” When the song was over, she asked for a reassessment. She said moods looked improved and for the board to imagine the emotional impact of doing the same every day with the same group of people, like a classroom. 

According to Kurr, the exercise was not even the tip of the iceberg on training she received last year, called “The Regulated Classroom.” She said the science-based training helps adults recognize their own regulation to better support the needs of their students and peers. CSD parent Jenn Whitney is a teacher in Gardiner and also participated in the training. She said the training is a tool to help the staff regulate themselves to avoid burnout and turnover, especially for educational technicians with students who can be difficult to work with.

In public comment, Tom Perkins brought up a custodial job working in Edgecomb but on the CSD budget. As reported in the Register, the Edgecomb board said it plans to reimburse the CSD for the position and present their budget to selectmen March 5. Perkins urged the board to clarify the matter before then, to avoid errors. “I was told there was discussion between the boards on the accounting,” he said. “I don't know which one of you is talking to Edgecomb, but you better do it soon.”