PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Though Aroostook has one of Maine’s highest transmission rates of COVID-19, SAD 1 remains below the rate at which masks would be mandated.
The SAD 1 Board of Directors learned about the COVID-19 status and approved several personnel changes during its May 17 meeting in Presque Isle.
As of Tuesday, SAD 1 had 35 COVID cases among faculty, students and staff, which totals about 5 percent. Zippel Elementary School was highest with 15 active cases, Superintendent Ben Greenlaw said.
Though the district is seeing an increase — there were 18 cases last week and 23 the previous week — staff have been monitoring state trends and Maine Center for Disease Control recommendations, he said. The state is not seeing the number of hospitalizations or the number of people on ventilators that it did at the pandemic’s height.
“The plan is to proceed as we are,” Greenlaw said. “We’re not near the 15 percent level to require masks.”
The board approved four resignations, one retirement and four staff appointments.
SAD 1 Superintendent Ben Greenlaw listens to a presentation during the May 17 school board meeting. (Paula Brewer | The Star-Herald)
The following have resigned their positions effective at the end of the school year: Larissa Lasselle, eighth-grade teacher of English/language arts and social studies at the middle school; Melissa Leavitt, special education instructor at the middle school; Molly Priest, vocal music teacher; and Jason Priest, instrumental band director.
Directors voted to accept the resignations and send letters of appreciation to each for their service.
Kim Wright, fourth-grade teacher at Mapleton Elementary School, will retire when the school year ends but will return in August.
The following appointments were approved: Allison Collins, third grade one-year position at Zippel; Richard Fletcher, assistant director of operations, transportation and maintenance for the district; Allison Bell, middle school special education teacher; and Kelly Damboise Sparrow, first-grade teacher at Zippel.
Board members also approved the creation of a first-grade position for one year at Pine Street Elementary School, due to a large group of kindergartners that will move into first grade next year.
In other business, Presque Isle Middle School Principal Barbara Bartlett reported on upcoming events, including the May 23 Wildcat Field Day featuring activities and a pizza lunch; a trip to Bangor’s Challenger Center for sixth-graders; a May 25 meet-and-greet session for parents of grade five students and a district-wide choral concert on May 26. On June 13, an academic awards presentation will be held for sixth- and seventh-grade students, and eighth-grade promotion is on June 16.
Greenlaw said SAD 1 has contracted with Haley Ward of Bangor to do a population assessment of the district to better inform district reapportionment. A board workshop will be held following that assessment.
At Presque Isle High School, the first Class Day since 2019 will be held on Thursday, June 9. Graduation is at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at the Gehrig Johnson Athletic Field at the middle school.
