8388_LGP_MechanicFalls_2022AnnualReport_Web

REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT 16

January 2023

Dear Citizens of Mechanic Falls, Minot, and Poland,

We start the New Year with hope and optimism. The beginning of the 2022-2023 school year has had a very normal feel and flavor to it, so far. The RSU 16 employees are mostly back to business as usual and are hyper focused on elevating the academic and social losses created by the pandemic and subsequent close down and Covid 19 restrictions, by introducing added academic and social support this school year. Please know that what has been lost will take several years for the public school system to rebound and bring our students back academically and slowly show annual improvements. With the help and support of our community, we feel very strongly that this can and will be accomplished. This school year has also seen some significant administrative changes. After 23 years, Cari Medd moved to be Superintendent in MSAD 52 and was replaced by Erik Anderson as the Principal of Poland Regional High School (PRHS). Erik comes to PRHS after serving as the Assistant Principal, Lewiston Middle School. Additionally, Lisa Burns has moved closer to home and is now a Principal in South Portland. With her departure there is a new administrative team at the Poland Community School (PCS). Brandi Comeau has been elevated to be the Principal and Denelle Gendron has assumed the responsibility as the Assistant Principal. Both of these educators come to their positions with many dedicated years of service to the school, the school district and Maine public education. RSU 16 still continues to see shortages in our teaching staff, education technicians, food service workers, and, probably the most impactive shortage, our bus drivers. We have four teachers who are teaching on an emergency certification, mostly elevated from the educational technician ranks resulting in additional education technician shortages. Educational technicians are assigned to our most needy students and classroom environments, leaving many special education students underserved. The food service workers have been masterfully managed by the Food Services Director, moving the puzzle pieces around to get the best support from our existing staff. Finally, the bus driver shortage is real and cumbersome. The Transpo11ation Director has his own puzzle pieces to move around, virtually, every run each day. When a run is unable to be filled, parents are informed that the bus run is canceled and are asked to provide family transpo11ation during these critical shortages. Finally, I have announced my retirement and will leave at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. I would like to say what a joy it has been for me to serve as your superintendent and I have been truly humbled by this experience. Any success that might be falsely attributed to me, really rests with the strong RSU 16 family of administrators, teachers, support staff, administrative support staff, students, parents and community. Thanks for the memories!

Sincerely,

Kenneth J. Healey

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