At the start of the January 22 meeting, School Committee Chairman Larry Colcord expressed sincere condolences to the family of Sarah Plummer, who died January 19, on behalf of the school committee. Plummer had been an Edgecomb Eddy School bus driver who had been with the school for 18 years and would be greatly missed.

Special Education Director Jane Stevens presented proposed 2014-2015 budgets for the Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES) and Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) special education departments. The increases there ends up being at the high school, will be the result of changes in the needs of special education students enrolled at the schools, salary increases, retirement amounts, Medicare, salaries, etc. At BRES, the proposed budget increases by $17,092 and at BRHS, $22,630.

Creative fundraising

Vice Principal Brandon Ward told the school committee about a creative first time fundraiser being held at the school. Eighth grade student Sam Burnham designed the first commemorative ceramic school coin with keychain holder selling for $15 each. Proceeds will help support various volunteer clubs, field trips costs, classroom supplies for students in need, for the purchase of school health insurance for kids wanting to participate in sports, purchasing winter clothing for fellow students in need.

Public participation

School Resource Officer Larry Brown and Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch attended to review Police Officer Brown's presence in the schools.

Hasch said he always thought of Brown as a person everyone could relate to. Four years later, his belief continues to be borne out.

“Larry blends well with faculty and administration, I expected it to be a success, but I would say it's been an extraordinary success,” Hasch said. “Larry was a perfect fit in a pro-active approach to stopping issues before they happen and working to prevent them, including working with families.”

Brown said the kids feel comfortable talking to him. He particularly enjoys running into former students at sporting events or around town.

“I like being involved and letting the kids know I am another person that supports them here,” Brown said. “When I go in the classrooms I try to emphasize that to them. I tell them the reason I enjoy working here so much is because I can get to know all of them. I keep emphasizing to the kids that we live in a small community where everyone cares and that they are not just a number.”

King said she has observed how comfortable the kids are with Brown and what an asset he continues to be in the schools.

“He supports the students, faculty, administrators ... all of us,” King said. “It's been great having him with us.”

“The continuity Larry provides our kids while they are in school and after they have graduated and gone on is important,” said Larry Colcord, School Committee Chairman.

Next meeting

The school committee's first February meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Region High School library.