Math teachers at Edgecomb Eddy School are doing some extra "homework" in researching a new curriculum for the kindergarten through grade six school. On Nov. 24, two of the four-person committee (Dr. Kate Race, a fifth grade teacher, and Rachel Kellogg, a first-grade teacher) discussed the committee's search for a new math curriculum. Other committee members not present were Meghan Rice, a third grade teacher and student teacher Emilie Crocker.

They prefaced their remarks by reminding Edgecomb School Committee members introducing a new curriculum will likely take time away from the current school day. From a handout, the teachers reported, in a 6.5-hour school day, 235 of 390 minutes (60%) is spent on classroom instruction. "The issue of time is not an EES (Edgecomb Eddy School) issue. It is a systematic issue every school district faces," Race said. "We just want the board to be aware of what we are being asked to teach within time constraints we have. This new program needs to be sustainable and viable to all."

The committee explained its work in recent weeks by examining math curricula/programs which are common core-aligned and researched-based. The teachers said they are searching for a curriculum which meets the needs of their community school and increases math understanding and test scores.

The teachers' group has called various districts with similar demographics and spoken to principals about their programs. Race reported the committee has "seriously" researched the following programs: Illustrative Math, Primary Mathematics, Focus Math, Reveal Math and I-Ready Math. This winter, the committee will narrow down its search to three programs to present to Principal Laura Mewa.

In the spring, a decision will be made on which program will be piloted, who will pilot the program and for how long will it be piloted, said Race.

In other action, Superintendent Bob Kahler reported Edgecomb students performed well on the Maine Through Year Assessment tests taken in September. Kahler said the Maine Through Year tests replaced the state's Maine Education Assessment for measuring student performance. "For math, 59.4% of students exceeded the proficient standard compared to the 49.4% state average. In language arts, 65.6% of our students exceeded the proficient standard compared to the state average of 63%," he said.

Kahler added, in a standardized science exam, Edgecomb students exceeded the state average by 5.2%. After his report, he told the Boothbay Register he would provide more testing results later in the week.

The school committee is preparing for budget discussions. Last week, the committee received a preliminary Alternative Organizational Structure 98 draft. Kahler reminded members the AOS is considering submitting two separate proposals: One with an assistant superintendent's position and one without.

When the committee begins considering Edgecomb Eddy's 2026-27 budget, Chairman Heather Sinclair suggested considering an in-house kitchen worker. The committee begins budget discussions in December and Sinclair recommended crafting one budget with the kitchen worker and one without.

Kahler updated members on the joint venture between Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor (Community School District) and Wiscasset to form a regional school. The Future of Our Schools group submitted an application for Phase 1 by the Oct. 31 deadline. Phase 2 is more complicated, according to Kahler, as it requires more information about school governance. The proposed venture is seeking state funding for a  kindergarten through grade 16 school pilot program. "I don't know how many schools applied, but I think the state is only awarding one grant. Phase 2 is likely to take over a year to complete," he said.

Edgecomb Eddy has filled its  vacant full-time first grade teacher position. The committee hired Kristyn Webber, who has begun "shadowing" the class with the current long-term substitute. Kahler reported Webber will assume her teaching role on Dec. 1.

The committee meets next at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 in the school cafeteria.