Before Boothbay Region High School students don their sports uniforms and head for the  fields, they will have to undergo neurocognitive assessment tools provided by ImPACT(Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). Boothbay schools will join over 70 others in the state that are using the ImPACT.

In May, a new law was enacted that requires all high schools in the state. The law aims to implement a model concussion management program.

All coaches and other individuals affiliated with sports in schools will be trained to learn how to accurately identify concussions and know how they are treated.

Also, the law requires written parental consent acknowledging that any student suspected of suffering a head injury during games will not be permitted back on the field until he or she is cleared by a physician/licensed healthcare provider.

AOS 98 Superintendent of Schools Eileen King informed the CSD School Committee this testing will provide school and health officials with baseline information.

King reported the CSD was ending the 2012-2013 school year with a “good strong finish.”

There is $1,137,814 or 13.10 percent of the budget remaining through the end of this fiscal year on June 30.

Technologically speaking

Director of Technology Shawn Carlson explained his decision to have seventh and eighth graders use iPads beginning in fall 2013. The program will be funded, in part, by the Maine Learning Technology Initiative as announced by Gov. Paul LePage last month.

Although the governor was recommending the HP ProBook 4440, schools could choose from four other proposals, including the one opted for by the CSD. This version will have the iPads funded up to the total amount of the ProBooks; the rest will be covered by schools.

In May, Carlson expressed the need for coherence and continuity for teachers and students. He said he was also looking for a “sustainable technology solution in the education and life prep of students.”

“We know how to roll out the iPads,” Carlson said. “We need to start thinking about what the iPad can do that a laptop cannot.”

Committee action

Committee members Brian Blethen, John Bertolet and Bill Bailey approved the following teachers for a first-year probationary contract at Boothbay Region High School: Matthew Brewer, mathematics; Desiree Scorcia, science

At Boothbay Region Elementary School, Lindsey Ingraham will be teaching first grade. Ingraham is replacing Lucy Ann Spaulding. Spaulding will be teaching kindergarten, replacing the newly-retired Jane Williams.

The committee also approved King's nomination of Shawn Carlson as Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology for AOS 98 (the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD, Edgecomb, Southport and Georgetown) for a three-year term ending June 30, 2016.

Larry Colcord will remain chairman and Stephanie Hawke is the new vice-chairman.

Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch and Stanley “Swing” Lewis were approved to continue as truant officers for the 2013-2014 school year.

The committee approved the review of updated policies on the Use of Physical Restraints and Seclusion with administrative procedure for a first reading.

Next meeting

The committee's next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 11 at 6 p.m. in the BRHS library.