From left to right, Easton Ramer, Bryce Faulkner, Bentley Hamlin, Mason Guerette, Jack LeClair, Gracien Hamlin, Jackson Curtis, Ryan Bruinsma, Stella Curtis, Carson Foster, Jesse Jones, Tucker Graves, Finn VanGorden, Chase Bonney, Levi Brann, Coach Brian Guerette , Coach Nathan VanGorden, Coach Mark Murphy, Head Coach Jamie Foster. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)
Front row, from left to right, Hunter Pooler, Brysen Carrier, JD Higgins, Jacobi Peaslee, Davin McLain and Jackson Hanson. Second row, Nolin Gagnon, Kris Finnemore, Kayden Lachance, Kaleb Clement, Ryker Miklos, Hunter Lockhart, Codey Violette and Brock Richards. Third row, Coach Jason Clement, Xzavier Bragdon, Hayden Lockhart, Owhen Van Gorden and Wesley Violette. Back row, Coach Mike Miklos, Coach Luke Peaslee, Coach Tony Richards and Coach Rob Violette. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)
Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)
Jennifer Lizotte attended the Oct. 18 Vassalboro School Board meeting to continue discussion of the daycare program she heads at Vassalboro Community School (VCS) (see the Sept. 29 issue of The Town Line, p. 3, for the initial discussion).
Board members had compiled a page-and-a-half list of questions and comments about the program. Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer distributed suggestions for a lease agreement from the school attorneys.
Lizotte said at the previous meeting that the program runs from 6:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. weekdays and has 44 youngsters enrolled. There are 26 names on the waiting list, she said; she has enough staff to enroll eight more, but there is not space for them in the area VCS can spare.
Lizotte thinks a daycare at the school is valuable; parents who go to work early or get home late, and parents who cannot pick up children in the middle of the day on an early release day, know their children have a safe place to stay.
Pfeiffer and board members agree an in-school daycare is a benefit. “Without the daycare a lot of families would be really facing hard times,” one person wrote.
There is concern about costs, though, and suggestions that the school charge rent in return for services provided – from electricity and heat to light bulbs and toilet paper – or that school officials explore possible town financial support.
Another comment asked about year-round security. Pfeiffer and Lizotte answered the question: the school has a crisis team and a regularly-updated crisis plan; daycares are required to have safety and security emergency plans; and when the two share a building, they cooperate.
The daycare discussion is scheduled to continue at the board’s Nov. 15 meeting.
In other business, Principal Ira Michaud reported favorable reactions to the September VCS newsletter. The colorful document was sent to students’ families; paper copies were left at the town office; and it is available on the website, vcsvikings.org, under the “Latest News” heading.
Assistant Principal Tabitha Brewer said she is working with town recreation committee members to bring community activities back to the VCS gym, after a covid-caused break.
“It’s nice to see some of the normalcy come back,” Pfeiffer commented.
Finance director Paula Pooler reported she sees no 2022-23 budget problems so far, and the food service program remains in the black. The audit of the 2021-22 fiscal year is under way, she said; and she has already set up 2023-24 budget accounts for the Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow school departments.
Curriculum coordinator Carol Kiesman was looking forward to a visit to the pre-kindergarten classes by officials from the state Department of Education. Pfeiffer was expecting federal and state emergency management personnel to discuss ongoing plans to make VCS an emergency shelter for the town.
School board members have almost finished reviewing the school’s strategic plan. The final version, when approved, will be put on the website, Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer issued another reminder to parents who have not yet filled out the application for free school meals: please do so. Breakfast and lunch are free by state law; but the forms are essential documentation, for example for applying for state and federal grants.
The 2022 Waterville Youth football rookie 1-2 team, front row, from left to right, Mason Sheets, Landon Nalley, Cameron McDade, Chandler Gerow, Revan Gurney and Jordon Bolduc. Middle row, Kennedy Beck, Ace Shaw, Bennett Hotham, Quincy Abrams, Jr., Vito Isgro, Kayson Glidden. Back, Coach Troy Jonson, Coach Matt Theriault, Coach Nick Isgro and Coach Chad Glidden. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
The 2022 U14 Winslow girls soccer team, front row, from left to right, Mirra Meak, Davanee Kimball, Isabella Loubier, Olivia Coldwell, Maria Moumouris and Tenley Nadeau. Back, Head coach Sim Meak, Meredith Tyler, Elaina Rioux, Hayden Breton, Elsie Spear, Alexandria Young, Kera Bilodeau, Assistant coach Joshau Giroux and Kayla Giroux. Absent from photo Mikaylka Achorn. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)
Vassalboro school board members got positive reports on the opening of school and the financial situation at their Sept. 20 meeting.
Principal Ira Michaud reported that staff members and students are starting the fall semester cheerfully. Eliminating masking and distancing requirements helped, he wrote: “For the first time in over two years school feels more relaxed and everyone feels more connected.”
Soccer games are under way and after-school clubs will be starting in early October.
Finance director Paula Pooler reported that the 2022-23 budget shows no problems. The unaudited 2021-22 budget, for the fiscal year that ended June 30, says the undesignated fund balance increased substantially, to over $1.2 million, she said.
Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer contrasted that preliminary figure with 2018, when the school department had a deficit of more than $250,000.
Pooler said part of the money came from additional state revenue during the pandemic. Another substantial portion is pandemic related, but less happily: school officials saved about $145,000 in payroll, because they were unable to fill positions.
Pooler does not expect such positive numbers in the future. School officials will make recommendations for using the surplus as part of 2023-24 budget planning.
Jennifer Lizotte joined board members to talk about the before and after school daycare program that has been housed at Vassalboro Community School for many years. There is less space for the program this year, raising questions about the agreement with school authorities.
Lizotte said the program operates weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. Currently 44 youngsters are enrolled, and she has a growing waiting list.
School board members agreed the service is valuable to Vassalboro parents. They will continue to monitor the situation.
The next regular Vassalboro school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Oct. 20.
Reminder to submit school lunch application
A reminder to all parents of Vassalboro Community School students: if you have not yet filled out and sent in your application for free and reduced-price school meals, please do so as soon as possible.
And do not be dismayed if you get a rejection: your children attending VCS will still get free breakfasts and lunches, because Maine is one of two states providing free school meals (California is the other).
The applications are important, officials said at the Sept. 20 school board meeting, because the number of qualified students determines the level of funding VCS receives under the federal Title One program and some state funding programs. Underreporting means VCS will not get its fair share of outside funding.
Malcolm Gilliland, Jace Elliott, and Kaiya Stevens ride a float for Junior PAL team VFW in the Lawrence Homecoming Parade on September 16. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)
Albion’s Junior PAL cheerleading team for Kennebec Timber Framing during the Lawrence Homecoming Parade, on Friday Sept 16. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)
Kahl Bolster, (36), of Clinton, maneuvers out of a close tackle by Keon Tae Stevens (12), of Benton, and gains a first down during the opening PAL Football Frenzy Game, on Sunday, September 4. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)
Fairfield PAL football team member Christopher Roy, (81), of Albion, makes a touchdown for his team during the Junior PAL Football Frenzy on Sunday, Sept. 4. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)
The Lawrence High School, of Fairfield, girls varsity soccer team, clockwise from bottom left, Hannah Burgess, Zoie Ward, Maddie Kissinger, Mya Williams, Olivia Cleaves, Kylie Yeomans, Zoe Hutchins, Kelsey Smith, Taylor Levesque, Kylie Delile, Alexis Williams, Paige Cyrus, Taylor Pellerin, Cyile Henderson, Brooklyn Allen , Whitney Churchill, Libby Boutin, Molly Cleaves and Desiree Clements. (photo by Missy Brown/Central Maine Photography)
Carrabec High School
Grade 12, high honors: Cheyenne Cahill, Sean Olson, Courtney Rollins, Seth Sayles and Cassidy Smith; honors: Lilly Augustine, Emma Baker, Julia Baker, Roger Beaulieu, Alexander Cloutier, Xavier Cloutier, Charlee Davis, Kiera Goodale, Autumn Ladd, Trinity Slate, Devon Spencer and Ethan Wyman.
Grade 11, high honors: Luke Carey, Joel Gehrke and Conner Peabody; honors: Jessica Benedict, Robert Lindblom, Jr. and Caitlyn Oliver and Faith Willette.
Grade 10, high honors: Kolby Carpenter, Devyn DeLeonardis, Cooper Dellarma, Brooke-Alexis Dube, Molly Hay and Emma Junkins; honors: Jayden Cates, Riley Crocker, Summer Lindblom, Dillon Nelson and Hailey Wyman.
Grade 9, high honors: Haley McFadyen, Machaon Pierce and Desmond Robinson; honors: Jeremy Barcelos, Logan Caldwell, Mason Courtney, Oakley Friend, Kobi Jennings, Seth Price, Levi Small and Brooks Sousa.