The school committee is looking to change its date with the Southport Budget Committee. On Nov. 21, the school committee discussed the invitation to meet with the budget committee the third Monday of January. It’s the same as last year’s which falls every year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “I want to move it. I don’t want to meet on a holiday,” said school committee member Nick Ullo. In the budget committee’s correspondence, Tuesday, Jan. 17 was listed as the snow date. Chairman Adam Harkins agreed to request a date change. During the Nov. 21 committee meeting, Harkins promised to attend Wednesday’s selectmen’s meeting and request an alternate date.

 “I will ask for either Jan. 17 or the following Monday,” he said. “But, a change would mean the budget committee would have to contact about 20 other organizations, so I don’t think it will happen.”

In her principal’s report, Lisa Clarke reported she and Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Special Education Director Chris Baribeau would have their budget proposals ready by Nov. 30. Clarke also announced an intern would be joining the school in December. On Dec. 2, a Kieve Wavus intern will begin a five-month stint on Fridays. Clarke reported the intern will focus on social and emotional learning along with environmental stewardship. “Boothbay Elementary had this intern last spring and they were very happy,” she said.

Clarke also updated the committee on the Southport Community Project which is looking to develop forested area behind the school for teaching and playing.  Fifth and sixth graders are participating in the “World of Change” fundraiser. Students will collect spare change to fund the project. On Dec. 2, students will attend the “Light Up, Southport” event. “Students will inform the public at an information booth prior to Santa arriving at the Southport General Store,” she said. 

Superintendent Bob Kahler updated committee members on the window project and bus transportation problems. Last summer, the school bought 28 windows for $27,503.67. In September, Harkins discovered 13 didn’t fit properly, leaving a noticeable gap.

So the school ordered more windows. The plan was to install them either when school wasn’t in session this fall such as Wednesday afternoons or weekends. But the windows haven’t arrived, and Kahler reported the school hasn’t heard from the manufacturer. With the onset of colder weather, Harkins volunteered to contact the manufacturer to see when the windows will arrive.

Kahler reported the AOS is still struggling to find school bus drivers. “We’re still looking, and we had someone who took two applications today,” he said. The Boothbay Register asked Kahler about recent transportation issues when the Southport bus schedule was cancelled for two weeklong periods. Kahler responded previously scheduled vacation and sick time resulted in the bus route cancellations. “We don’t have enough drivers or substitutes. The AOS started the year on ‘Plan C,’ so we are doing the best with what we have. None of the AOS schools have enough drivers.”

The committee had a first reading on nine amended policies. The committee had a second reading on 15 policies which became adopted.  The newly amended policies include harassment of employees, procedure, board member conflict of interest, nepotism, public participation in board meetings, board relationship with staff, new school committee orientation, school committee development opportunities, comprehensive health and safety plan, workplace bullying, child find, compulsory attendance, truancy, freedom of access and media relations. 

The committee meets next at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19.