VASSALBORO: School, day care provider reach agreement

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

After several months’ discussion, at their Jan. 17 meeting Vassalboro School Board members approved a lease agreement for the daycare that Jennifer Lizotte runs at Vassalboro Community School (VCS).

The daycare has operated without a formal agreement for years. The agreement runs into the spring of 2024, when it is to be discussed and if necessary amended. School board members indicated they expect to renew it in June 2024.

The longest discussion Jan. 17 was over the $25 a day fee Lizotte is agreeing to pay. The purpose is to cover janitorial services, supplies (light bulbs, toilet paper) and other expenses.

A couple people calculated the effect if Lizotte were to raise the amount she charges parents in order to cover the fee and found it would not make a large difference. Lizotte said she does not presently plan a rate increase.

The other major topic at the Jan. 17 meeting was a presentation by school counselor Gina Davis and part-time school social worker Laurie Lefebvre. They were also speaking for school social worker John Merrill, who was unable to attend the meeting.

The two explained what they do working with students, teachers and other staff and parents to help students do their best academically, socially and personally. Their days are primarily scheduled classroom presentations, group discussions and individual consultations, with schedules sometimes upended by crises.

The model they use, called the Second Step Program, is briefly explained in the December 2022 issue of the VCS newsletter, found on line at vcsvikings. December activities described were focused on “ways to show we care and how to show compassion for others.” Seventh-grade students made 225 holiday cards for area nursing home residents.

Principal Ira Michaud said he was pleased to find the program in place when he came to VCS last fall. He and assistant principal Tabitha Brewer also use Second Step; it “creates a common language through the school,” he said.

In other business Jan. 17, Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer reported for Finance Director Paula Pooler that the current year’s budget remains on target. Planning for the 2023-24 budget is well under way.

School board members approved an updated board handbook. With typical humor, Pfeiffer told them he plans to make the handbook available on the website and in paper form, “so all those in town who follow in your footsteps some day will know how easy your job is.”

Board members approved hiring Andrew Turner as an educational technician and accepted the retirement of art teacher Susan Briggs, effective at the end of the school year. Pfeiffer said Briggs has been teaching art for 40 years, the first two and a half in Waterville and the rest in Vassalboro.

The next regular Vassalboro school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14 (a week earlier than usual because February vacation is the following week), in the VCS library.