HOULTON, Maine — Concerns over the district’s most recent round of state testing has prompted the RSU 29 school board to request further analysis of the numbers.
Superintendent Richard Lyons presented the board Monday evening with the Maine Educational Assessment data from last spring’s tests in math, reading and language usage for students at Houlton Southside and Houlton Middle-High schools.
That data showed the district’s scores in math were 49 percent at or above the standard, while 51 percent were below the standard.
The district was considerably stronger in the reading tests, with 60 percent at or above the standard, while language usage scores revealed 57 percent were at or above the standard.
“We would certainly like to see higher scores with respect to meeting or exceeding the standard,” Lyons said. “We will be working on that. Math has been a nemesis for many school districts for many years.”
Board chairman Fred Grant asked for additional data, comparing the spring 2022 data to other years, particularly the scoring prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the group’s December meeting.
“Obviously it is not great to see red (below average) for our scores,” Grant said.
Melanie Blais, curriculum director for the district, said she would gather the most recent fall testing results to give the board a more current snapshot of where RSU 29 is in terms of testing.
The board also approved an international trip to France in 2024 for students. Instructor Shelly Bouchard had asked the board for permission to travel through EF Educational Tours, something the district has done many times in recent years.
Students enrolled in French classes will be eligible to attend, provided they pay for the cost of their own tickets. The district is not contributing financially to the cost of the trip, but the students may raise funds to go toward their expenses.
“This experience could potentially change the lives of our students and open their eyes to new adventures, cultural tolerance and historical appreciation,” Bouchard said in an email to the board.
The board also learned of several new hires and transfers.
Kelly Silverthorn was hired as an AP/Secretary in the superintendent’s office; Katelyn McNinch was hired as a special education technician for Houlton Southside School; and Autumn Fox was hired as an ed tech for Houlton Middle-High School.
Erica Crawford was transferred from kitchen staff to ed tech II at HMHS, while Joshua Suitter and Dylan Gardiner resigned from their positions as ed tech and van monitor/bus driver, respectively.
The board also unanimously approved opting out of the state’s “Breakfast after the Bell” program. The district already provides free breakfast to all students, thus eliminating the need to participate in the state-mandated program.
The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at the high school.
