|
|
Superintendent of
Schools
School
Administrative District #4
|
|
To the Citizens of SAD #4:
We are pleased to report that MSAD #4 continues to move forward with our mission to graduate all learners ready for College, Career, and Citizenship. While the state is immersed in a great deal of controversy and debate over administrative restructuring, increased efficiency, and property tax relief, it is important to not lose sight of the wonderful achievements and hard work that take place in our classrooms every single day. It is the classroom teacher, the coach, the educational technician, the tutor, the parent and the volunteer that make the difference with each and every child. We thank the citizenry of each town for your continued support of the efforts of this fine, dedicated staff.
A close examination of the data
will reveal that much of the excess spending on education is taking place in
other regions of the state. While 81% of
the school units are spending above the established EPS rate, it is well to
note that SAD #4, as well as most of the other systems in our region, continue
to spend below those limits. Listening
to the conversation points and released data regarding school spending and
taxation is much like listening to a weather forecast generated in
We continue to follow our locally crafted strategic five-year plan for operations and have had great success in implementing various initiatives that were called for in that document.
We have established a Grant Clearinghouse designed to give technical assistance to anyone seeking grant opportunities to benefit existing programming. We have established an SAD #4 Endowment Fund designed to provide supplemental funds to teachers and students in the future.
We are working more closely than ever with the Alumni Association. We are currently assisting them with a massive update of their database, and continue to promote their activities in conjunction with the Piscataquis River Festival.
We have established an off-site alternative education program that we call “Learning-4-Life”. In just the start-up phase of this program, we are already serving four students that had previously left school. It is exciting to think that we have an opportunity to reach these young people and their families.
The district was one of only 36
in the
Our after school programs are flourishing, as a result of our 21st Century Schools Grant and the dedicated staff that provide these academic and enrichment opportunities.
We have replaced the aging boiler
at PCHS with two highly efficient boilers.
This was done at a significantly reduced cost via the state’s Revolving
Renovation Fund. We have also completed
a lighting project resulting in new, highly efficient fixtures in the
transportation garage, PCMS gymnasium and the multi-purpose rooms at both GPS
and McKusick.
We received an Efficiency Maine rebate for a significant portion of this
work, as well as reduced electricity costs and improved lighting quality. The passage of a recent referendum will
allow us to move forward with a major HVAC upgrade at PCHS, an electrical
system upgrade at PCHS, and roofing projects at GPS and the
We continue to collaborate with
neighboring districts on various projects including the Piscataquis Valley
Adult Education Cooperative, staff development offerings,
In closing, let us once again remind you that you are more than welcome to visit your schools. We encourage you to become involved with the lives of our youth. It truly does “take a village to raise a child” – those are not hollow words. For more information regarding the schools, we encourage you to log on to www.sad4.com - or give one of the school offices a call.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the M.S.A.D. #4 Board of Directors,
George Nuite, Chairman of the Board
Paul Stearns,
Superintendent of Schools