Staff Writer
The Limestone School Committee met recently covering a range of topics, the most significant a discussion involving a comprehensive facilities study of the community school.
The study is to be conducted by M. E. McCormick Facilities Management consultants of Dexter, with assistance from Brent Dudley, Trane Energy and Environmental Services of Westbrook. The study is to be used to determine the feasibility of retaining the school as it now operates. Due to low enrollment and operational costs the possibility of looking into different options and scenarios has become necessary. The efficiency study will consider capital improvements needed to maintain the Limestone school as well study the financial demands of the school which include, systems administration, debt service, school administration and student support costs.
Also included in the proposed study will be the comparison of various state to local averages, including cost per student. At this time this particular comparison shows the state average of cost per student to be $7,400 whereas the Limestone Community School average cost per student was estimated at $15,700. Other facets to be looked at include regionalization effect, whether or not the academic offerings fit the building, transportation expenditures (quoted to be 10 percent above the state average) and revenues.
Due to recent reduction in state funding, the Limestone school originally was slated to receive an estimated $186,000 which was less than the previous year and that amount has been further reduced to $176,000, with another reduction possible in the near future, due to further government belt tightening in areas of education.
After lengthy discussion, the school committee voted to accept the proposal to have the facilities study completed and agreed to the $35,000 fee. Michael McCormick, CPE of the consulting firm stated “I will seek every possible scenario to make this work.” McCormick also informed the board they were faced with the decision of “remaining and figuring out what to do, get smaller and figure out what to do, or get out and figure the ramifications”. The study is to be completed within a six-month window. McCormick also interjected that regardless of the outcome, the school committee needed to seek support from the community, noting that it is imperative that any enemies be brought to the table in order to gain complete community support, working in unison.
The facilities management consultants completed a similar study of the Limestone School in the 1990s.
In other business Superintendent Frank McElwain reported there were still no major plan regarding the regionalization issue as it is still in legislative hands. The community school board discussed the possibility of having a comprehensive study on the need for maintaining or discontinuing the harvest recess. Any study approached would take place after this fall and would be directed at local farmers and students regarding the fall labor needs.
Board members were informed as to a change in the policy for using an Automated External Defibrillator or AED. The original policy allowed only trained personnel to use the AEDs, however the policy has been changed due to the units being voice automated, preventing improper use. Anyone using the AEDs is directed through the necessary steps. It was agreed that individuals should be familiar with the device but in the case of emergency the availability would be there for immediate assistance.
The board accepted the first reading of policy regulating advertising in the schools. This item was in relation to school use of advertising products that also sell food or beverages that do not meet the school’s nutrition guidelines. An example of acceptable advertising visible in the school is that scoreboard advertising a soft drink which would not be within the guidelines, would still be considered acceptable if the same company sold bottled water.
Limestone Community School Principal Ryan Enman informed the board that Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. would be the official induction of the newest members of the school’s National Honor Society. Earlier that afternoon, seven students will be selected for the organization during the Tapping Ceremony. Enman also announced tryouts for the up-coming baseball season would take place Monday, March 24.
