Category: City News

School Committee Highlights March 11, 2024

By Kendra Williams Public Comment General education social workers and principals from Sanford’s three elementary schools gave overviews of their roles, examples of their work and the difference it makes to students during the board’s March 11 meeting. They described student needs that would be unmet if those positions are cut from the budget. Sanford Schools’ Director of School Counseling Beth Letourneau spoke especially of the importance of the Sanford Middle School social worker. Parent Stephanie Jopling addressed the need…

SHS Alternative Education Program Stays in the Budget – For Now 

SHS Alternative Education program Director Karen Webb addresses the School Committee. Photo: WSSR-TV By Alexa Livingston and Zendelle Bouchard On Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, at an emotional emergency meeting, the Sanford School Committee voted to keep Sanford High School’s Alternative Education program in the school budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year, but members of the Committee and Superintendent of Schools Matt Nelson made it clear that the program ultimately may not survive if the City Council demands further budget cuts. The…

School Committee Recommends Cutting 31 Positions in Tough Budget Year

L to R: Business Manager Cheryl Fournier, Superintendent Matt Nelson, School Committee Chair Paula Cote, Vice Chair Amy Sevigny, Committee members Jen Davie, Melissa Simpson and Emily Sheffield, Assistant Superintendent Steve Bussiere. Photo: WSSR-TV By Zendelle Bouchard The Sanford School Committee met in emergency session on Thursday morning, Feb. 29, 2024, to approve a budget recommendation that reflects a major reduction in teachers and other staff for the 2024/25 fiscal year. In all, 31 current positions are being axed in…