School Committee 3/15 Meeting Notes

Construction Update

Superintendent of Schools Matt Nelson went over the latest updates on legal issues surrounding the construction at Sanford High School. The School Department has been sued by the contractor, Warren Mechanical, over a dispute with a subcontractor. It will likely go to arbitration. The construction at Pride Elementary is still behind schedule, but the contractor has been asked for a plan to catch up. Mr. Nelson showed the Committee the architect’s renderings of the front of the school, showing blue panels around the front entrances and above the gymnasium. Committee members questioned why they weren’t red, which is Sanford’s color. Mr. Nelson wasn’t sure, but said it had come up at the last Core Building Committee meeting, and he was looking into it and would report back to both committees.

Sanford Performing Arts Center

Committee member Paula Cote reported that there are two dance recitals scheduled for spring, and the High School will do a Broadway revue entitled “The Show Must Go On” in May. The students will be rehearsing in four separate cohorts in order to be as safe as possible. SPAC is working on plans for the next season, beginning in November. With the current Covid guidelines, they will be able to fill the theater to 30% of capacity.

Student Representative

Bella Farrington reported that a survey to gather students’ opinions on the SHS schedule should be going out within the next week or two. She said the goal is to get insight on how they have (or haven’t) been set up for success with their schedule, and find out what problems are impacting them so they can be addressed. Committee member Jonathan Mapes cautioned not to make promises that the Committee can’t deliver. She replied that it is being made clear that this is not a decision-making survey, but just to get information and opinions.

Adult Education

Nichole Ivey, Director of Sanford Community Adult Education, gave an update on SCAE’s programs and accomplishments. She said that last year they celebrated the high school completion of 29 learners and spoke about some of their individual stories. “We know that high school graduates are more likely to be employed, have a higher income, serve in the military, and vote. They are less likely to need public assistance or incarceration,” she told the Committee, adding “when one of us does well, we all do well.” She described SCAE as a deeply invested partner in the new Envision Center that is being planned by multiple service agencies in Sanford to address issues of poverty and homelessness. She also talked about several of the career programs SCAE runs, including a basic EMT course planned for this fall.

The full School Committee meeting can be viewed here: youtube.com/watch?v=Qx8hv2SPbWY&t=3006s.