Silver Lake Regional Assistant Superintendent Jill Proulx at the June 4 Halifax School Committee meeting announced that the Silver Lake Regional School District was selected for a state educational stability program review.
Proulx described the state educational stability program review as an assessment that makes sure students in vulnerable or unique circumstances get the attention they need.
She said, “It is our review to the extent at which we are meeting the regulations in terms of the rights to homeless students, foster students, and military involved families.”
The required forms were submitted for review after making some assessments. Part of the pre-submission process also involved reaching out to the homeless liaison for each of the three districts within Silver Lake Regional.
Proulx said the assessment may bring about some new things at the school level in the future. One thing likely to be added is additional training for staff in relation to homeless students, foster students, and military involved families.
The school also awaits potential changes to foster care policy in the future. The district is waiting for recommendations at the state level.
Teacher Training Update
Silver Lake Regional High School is offering a course for teachers of all grade levels studying skills for teaching.
Proulx said the course is a district contractual requirement for all teachers within their first three years in the school district. “it is a research-based best practices course for teachers,” Proulx said.
Financial Update
During a school committee financial update, the utility area of the budget was reported to have a deficit of $1,275 this month. Last month, this deficit was at $9,000.
The Halifax School Committee’s financial update said the large decrease in the deficit was because of funding at the municipal level.
The Town of Halifax was able to secure some green community funding that helped bring the overall cost down.
Staffing Update
Halifax Elementary School is looking to fill in two open positions. Two special education teachers retired. The School Committee said one of those positions has been filled. The other open position is for a school behaviorist.
Other News
• The Halifax School building project is starting up. The committee announced that doors and window construction work should be started the week after students are out of school.
• The 2018-2019 school year begins August 29. The school year is scheduled to last until June 13, 2019. Superintendent Joy Blackwood joked saying she will do a better job “controlling the weather” this year.