Former Southport School Committee member Lauren Graham has rejoined it. She replaces Mike Wallace, who recently submitted his resignation. Graham will serve until March 2027 when her interim term expires. Graham participated in the April 2 meeting by phone.

Members Marc Kurtz and Adam Climo were present for the meeting. Principal Shawn Gallagher updated the committee on events planned at the kindergarten through grade six school. He reported the school is still searching for a maintenance person. "We had interviews for the position and the gentleman we hoped would take the position backed out," Gallagher said. "So, we are looking elsewhere to get that done."

For summer lawn care, Gallagher will try to contract with Coastal Property Care of Boothbay. He also has a planned visit by Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Director of Facilities Dave Benner the week of April 6 for creating a buildings priority list.

Gallagher was pleased to announce that thermostats were installed into the classrooms. He also spoke on the school's Community Service Projects. Grades four, five and six are starting a philanthropy project. The students research nonprofits and do a presentation. A vote is taken and funds are donated to a chosen nonprofit.

A penny drive will begin in April where kindergarteners and grades one, two and three students will decide where proceeds are sent. The Parent Teacher Organization is holding a silent auction as a fundraiser for the sixth grade class trip in May. Gallagher said this will be the first sixth grade class trip since COVID-19.

Gallagher said he would take ALICE training this summer. ALICE is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. It is an emergency plan used for active shooter situations inside a school.

AOS 98 Finance Director Kathleen Pearce reported Southport is receiving a larger state subsidy than expected. The state told school officials their subsidy is about $22,000 more than previously expected. Superintendent Bob Kahler said those funds would go into the undesignated fund, and the school committee would decide next year on what to do with them.

The committee approved the 2026-27 school calendar. The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 31 and last day is Monday, June 14, 2027.

The committee approved a second reading of the updated Child Find Policy. This directs how school officials should identify students ages 3-5 with disabilities. The committee also had the first reading of an expense authorization and reimbursement policy, expense reimbursement procedure, cash management for federal funds policy and AOS finance procedure manual.

The committee meets next at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 7 in the school.