WESTMANLAND, Maine — The Union 122 school board met at the home of Pat Anderson last Thursday to discuss policy updates and announce the opening of a technology coordinator position.
Policies concerning public participation at board meetings, substitute teachers, home schooling, suspension, and the Child Find mandate, which ensures that all students with special needs receive the appropriate assistance, passed their first reading.
The first draft reading for public participation at board meetings was passed with the current option: “During the time allotted for public participation, members of the public may speak on any subject directly related to the operations of the schools, except for personal matters or complaints concerning specific employees or students, which shall be addressed through established policies and procedures.”
All policies will be reviewed at a second reading.
First draft readings of the union’s expulsion of students policy and expulsion guidelines were held due to concerns over student privacy and exact procedure of executive session if a student faces expulsion, and will be revisited in a first reading at the next union meeting.
Union 122 directors passed the motion to begin advertising for a district technology coordinator. According to Superintendent Karla Michaud, “there are too many people doing multiple jobs and more help is needed.”
Through the use of a Rural Education Achievement Program grant and the union’s local technology budget the union is looking for a qualified applicant to work with school administrators in planning and implementing a total technology plan for the school system.
The technology coordinator will assist with the development of policies, goals and objectives in the area of computers. The candidate will also assist in the management of hardware and software updating and ultimately troubleshooting technology issues facing Union 122.
The total cost of the technology coordinator position will be dependent on applicant experience and will require their assistance two days per week for 38 weeks out of the year, according to Michaud.
