A scheduled CSD school committee meeting turned into a brief workshop on Feb. 24 due to the lack of a quorum.

Committee members Stephanie Hawke, John Bertolet and Chairman Larry Colcord heard reports from Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES) Principal Mark Tess, Allan Crocker, director of student activities, and BRES Assistant Principal Tricia Campbell.

Standing in for Adult Education Director Maggie Griffin, Tess presented the proposed Adult Education budget for 2016-17. Coming in at $64,289, it is $639 over the current budget, a 2.5 percent increase on the salary line and health benefits based on a seven-percent increase.

“The only part of this budget that will go before the voters is $38,224,” Superintendent of Schools Eileen King added. “Maggie has done this budget for a long time and held the amount down for years.”

Adult Ed programming stats

Tess said the fall 2015 adult ed enrollment was 227 — just shy of the total the previous year.

The “hot” subjects among the adult ed offerings, based on attendees were cooking classes — extra sessions were added to accommodate the 37 people ready to add to their culinary talents; the hunter's safety course came in second with 26 people attending; followed by estate planning, boating safety, using your iPads and iPhones, basic Excel classes, and Internet security.

In the spring session, a cooking class was tops again with 31 women and men ready to learn new dishes in the kitchen, hunter safety held the number two position with 29 attendees, and in third place, estate planning and elder law with 13 people. Tess said the enrollment numbers for the entire session closely mirrored spring 2015.

Learning Center/HiSet update

Six students are attending the Learning Center, hosted two nights a week at adult ed., preparing to take the HiSet – formerly the GED high school equivalency test. Students must pass five subtests in math, language arts reading, language arts writing, science and social studies to earn an equivalency diploma.

Currently, one of the six students has passed four of the five tests, another is preparing for the math Hi-Set in the spring.

Proposed budget to date

King announced the upcoming retirement of Ellie Bowden from the English As a Second Language staff. This line in the budget has dropped $15,090 as a reflection of her departure.

Toby LeConte will be getting a “long overdue” stipend for her work with the Special Olympics events, just as other coaches of school sports do, King said.

Other announcements

Leprechaun Leap pledges are being taken now. The Leap is the fundraiser for the Special Olympics programs. Last year 20 brave souls ventured out into the 38-degree water. To sign up contact teacher Deb Mellor at BRES: 207-633-5097.

The school committee's next meeting is Wednesday, March 16 (note date change) at 6 p.m.

King said that should something come up regarding subsidies or revenue that is unexpected, a second meeting in the month will be scheduled.