Futures Task Force Continued Summary

July 25, 2023

The Futures Task Force does not have a full meeting this week. Small groups meetings and individual work continues.

This email serves as a reminder that the Futures Task Force continues to work in small groups or individually on:

• The Public Relations (PR) Plan was launched with members signing up for different tasks such as: creating an informative pamphlet, creating video walking tours of the elementary schools, narrowing the pros and cons into statements with evidence, creating a snail mail flyer, research on adult learners and space needed for Adult Education and enrichment, researching the Revolving Renovation Grant, overseeing our website of information, creating and maintaining a FAQ.
• Link to the website: https://www.rsu16.org/about/futures-task-force
• The Functional Capacity Sub-Group met to finalize recommendations on their assessment of the functional capacity of the discussed scenarios
• Newly appointed Mechanic Falls Town Official, Tarsha Downing, received a training on the work of the Task Force and looks forward to joining the team at the next meeting
• Total amounts to rehabilitate the buildings are nearly finalized. Next will be looking at the budget impact on consolidating MCS into ESS.

Reminders:

• RSU 16 Issues include we are trying to solve include: Teacher shortage - difficulty filling open positions with fully certified teachers, Class sizes are inequitable across the three elementary schools, Transportation/Driver shortage - canceled bus routes, Increase in salaries due to contract negotiations, Aging buildings (including our “newest” 23-year old HS/MS), Title I services and Title I comparability, Rising cost of everything, Needs of our students

Next meeting is July 31

Task Force membership: Todd Sanders, Amy Hediger, Erik Anderson, Shawn Vincent, Jessica Madsen, Kaitlynn Brown, Brandi Comeau, Jenny Rose, Jo St Peter, John Hawley, Jacque Russo, Jennifer Gagnon, D'Arcy Robinson, Steve Robinson, Brittany Hemond, Robert Klar, Terri Arsenault, Tarsha Downing, Randy Lautz, Angela Swenson, Elizabeth Martin, Emily Rinchich, Mary Martin.