Community School District (CSD) trustees Feb. 12 approved the grant-funded purchase of shielded backpacks. Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Doug Snyder said putting a pack in classrooms would provide a measure of protection in the event of a school shooting.

“The kids are talking about it more. They think about it more than any of the teachers or adults do. I think if they know they have these to protect themselves, it would be a great thing,” Snyder said in requesting purchase approval.  

The packs are from Maine-based company Mundbora, which said they include body shields to protect against threats, including knife attacks and firearms. Apart from shielding students, they could be used to break windows or for other emergency purposes, Snyder said.

Boothbay Region High School Principal Tricia Campbell said they would be treated like other emergency tools, such as fire extinguishers and defibrillators, and that students and staff would be trained to use them. Snyder said they would compliment the already active ALICE training, which he described as “basically, run, hide, and fight.”  

“It’s a sad thing to think about,” Trustee Ronnie Campbell said..  

Snyder said the packs cost about $200 each and one will be placed in each CSD classroom. He said they will be paid for by two grants already in place. He said there is a possibility that medical kits could be added to the packs next year.   

In other business, the board discussed Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s Feb. 10 ruling on a lawsuit around the $30 million referendum for renovations to Boothbay Region Elementary School. With a decision in favor of the CSD, it appears the project can continue; however, Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler said the plaintiffs can appeal the ruling in a 14-day window.  

“We’ve already missed another summer's construction season,” Kahler said, adding, there is no way work can be done this summer.  

In the meantime, Kahler said Maine Municipal Bond Bank approved a $30 million loan, but the terms could be changed, and he will also be looking into local banks for comparison. Kahler said there is time to work out the loan details, and the board expressed interest in restarting the building committee.   

The board also discussed its involvement in AOS 98. Campbell said he doesn't think the AOS is working for the board because it has no authority over the larger board within the current structure. Trustee Matt Doucette agreed, but wanted a cost-benefit analysis for a data-driven comparison. Kahler, who reports to the AOS board, said the trustees aren’t the only body with concerns, and more than half of the AOS's in the state have been dissolved.   

“Asking us to stick our necks out with a $30 million bond when we have no say on the budget, we have no say on what (Kahler can) do or not do,” Campbell said. “Maybe the CSD can go to bat for us at the AOS and say this isn't working if we want to keep this going.”  

The district also received its first feedback on the first part of an application with the Department of Education to fund and build a consolidated 9-16 school. The feedback from the state is intended to help the district in the final application due later and includes requests for more information on partners and advisors as well as integrating career and technical education.