October 17 Post

Two more weeks have passed since my last blog post.  Temperatures have shifted, and you definitely need those winter hats, gloves, and jackets to watch a full soccer or football game!  Maine's fall is entirely upon us.  I know everyone has their favorite seasons of the year - but mine is most definitely fall!  Apple picking, pumpkin carving, corn mazes, what a great time to live in such a beautiful state with so much bounty!  We are already most of the way through the first quarter of school!  Time marches on.  Please check out some photos from our schools over the past few weeks, and then we are on to the information!

FY 27 BUDGET SURVEY RESULTS SHARED!

Back in September, I invited staff, families, and community members to share their thoughts on the priorities that should guide the development of our FY27 school budget. As always, the Gorham community showed up—offering thoughtful, diverse, and constructive feedback that reflects how deeply our residents care about our schools. I’m excited to share a summary of that input and highlight some of the common themes that will help shape our next budget.

There were 339 total responses to the survey.  Twenty-four percent (24%) were from staff members, seventy-two percent (72%) were from Parent/Guardians, and sixteen percent (26%) were from community members.  When asked about their affiliated school, participants were equally distributed across all five schools. When asked about their most associated grade level, the largest percentage (34%) indicated the elementary level.

It is important to note that the survey link was shared with communities beyond Gorham via social media sites.  There were a total of 3,557 independent views of the T.E. Survey.  Of those, roughly 739 views came from outside our community (21%).  However, analysis of IP addresses using Thought Exchange revealed that most outside views did not complete the survey. The results outlined below represent the perceptions of our Gorham Community and no others.

Overall, the survey responses indicate a predominantly positive perception of the Gorham School District's performance. The data shows that 71% of respondents either agree or strongly agree that the district is doing a great job, while 77% are confident in the district's ability to support student success. Most participants, 86%, feel satisfied with the district's communication, and 56% view the school budget as adequate. 

Notable qualitative feedback highlights concerns about resource allocation, the need to maintain small class sizes, and the expansion of diverse educational programs. There is a strong emphasis on maintaining or enhancing current staff levels, technological infrastructure, and extra-curricular activities. Other highlights include:

- District Performance and Perception: Most respondents perceive the district's performance positively, with 71% expressing satisfaction. However, qualitative insights reveal some contention, particularly regarding priority areas for expenditure and the need to enhance educational programs to better prepare students for real-world challenges. Concerns about budget spending and the need for a more strategic financial approach were also mentioned.

- Communication and Community Engagement: Communication between the district and stakeholders is deemed effective by a majority, with 86% agreeing. Qualitative feedback suggests that while communication is generally effective, there's room for improvement and a desire for greater transparency.

- Budget Allocation and Financial Management: While 56% believe the school budget is adequate, some respondents (26%) feel it is too low, and 18% think it's too high. A high priority was placed on budget needs for facilities, staff retention, class size, and technology. Some feedback suggests concerns about effective resource allocation, with emphasis on equitable distribution across different student groups being mentioned.

- Educational Programs and Resources: Key areas for budget prioritization include facilities, staff retention, class size, technology infrastructure, extracurricular programs, school safety, career & technical education, and special education, with 100% of respondents recognizing the importance of each. While confidence levels in the district supporting success for all students is high (77% agree or strongly agree), some qualitative feedback indicated worries about resource distribution and the need for a broader range of educational services.

The top five priorities for the FY 27 budget development process were as follows:

1. Better addressing the needs of special education students.

2. Enhance/strengthen mental health services for students.

3. Maintain and look to expand the Arts and Co/Extra Curricular programming.

4. Improve school infrastructure and safety.

5. Maintain small class sizes and adequate staffing.

Certainly some excellent food for thought! If you want to view the FULL SUMMARY of results, please CLICK HERE.

THANK YOU to those who participated and shared their thoughts with us. These results will be used in our continued work to define our district priorities for the FY 27 budget development process.

GORHAM SCHOOLS #17 FOR BEST PLACES TO WORK IN MAINE - LARGE EMPLOYER!

Since earlier this fall, we knew we had been selected as one of the top 30 "Best Places To Work In Maine" for 2025, but we didn't know exactly where we ranked within that top 30. Last week, we discovered that we ranked #17, which is no small feat! We were ranked among 30 other large employers in ME (those that employed 250+ staff) and beat out solid organizations such as TD Bank, Colby College, and Hussey Seating. Even better, we improved in our overall staff rating scores from our last participation in this program in 2023!

For us, the most critical part of the Best Places to Work process is the survey, which provides us with invaluable insights into staff perceptions. This data enables us to recruit and retain the best talent for our schools, ensuring our students receive the highest quality education while reducing overall costs.

If you want to see the full list of winners across all categories this year, please CLICK HERE. If you want to review a summary of the Gorham Specific survey data results from this year compared to 2023, please CLICK HERE.

AN OPEN THOUGHT EXCHANGE TO INFORM FUTURE BLOG POSTS

In my previous blog post, I shared my overall goals for the 2025-2026 school year. One of those goals was to improve two-way communication across our schools. As part of this goal, I am creating an open Thought Exchange link in this blog and will re-post and share it for future blogs, aiming to create a rolling conversation with interested individuals.

Each month, I use this blog to share updates, celebrate our schools, and open the door for honest conversation. As I plan for next month’s post, I’d love to hear directly from you — our families, staff, students, and community members — about what topics matter most.

What questions do you have about our schools? What stories or issues would you like me to highlight in future blogs?

Please take a few minutes to share your ideas in this month’s Survey. Your input helps shape the conversations we have together and ensures that this blog reflects what’s most important to our community.

https://tejoin.com/scroll/301628126

In order to give me time to respond to questions or topics for my next blog post planned on Oct. 31, I'd ask that you complete the survey by Oct. 29.  I will then close this survey and re-open a similar one every two weeks to keep the conversation flowing via this blog! 

Thank you for being such an engaged and thoughtful part of the Gorham Schools community!  I can't wait to hear what you are curious and want to learn more about! ☺

PARENT TIPS FOR PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES!

Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up here in Gorham NEXT WEEK! We so love this time of year! Our schools typically have excellent participation from families with many schools seeing close to 100% participation rates! It is so important that we take the time to touch base with one another during fall conferences to make sure your child(ren) have gotten off to a great start in the school year!

Each year building principals and teachers get together to prepare for Parent/Teacher Conferences. As educators we think about the structure of these conferences, what information should be shared, how it should be shared, etc. etc. etc. Long story short - we prepare and we plan to make sure Parent/Teacher conferences are successful.

As I was reviewing some of these materials the other day, I thought to myself - Well - who helps parents plan for Parent/Teacher Conferences?

Good question right? I mean as a school we send out links for parents to sign up, we provide guidance and expectations for what to expect, but we don't really help prepare parents for Parent/Teacher Conferences. So I thought - hmmm...there must be some good guidance out there somewhere that parents can review and use to think about as you prepare for conferences that will help YOU get what you need out of the brief time you have with your child's teachers.

I found several great resources I thought I'd share. Please feel free to wander through the links below, use the things you like, ditch the things you don't! At the end of the day, Parent/Teacher Conferences are about strengthening partnerships between schools and families. As long as that goal is accomplished, the rest is "gravy"!

- On this resource for the great state of Colorado, there is a really great "Checklist for Parents" to do with their children before their conferences, during conferences and after conferences.

- This resource from New York state provides a great "starter list" of 15 questions parents should ask during parent/teacher conferences. It also shares some suggestions for parents regarding what to do ahead of the conferences, during and after similar to the first resource link above.

- This resource from Child Mind Institute provides some additional great preparation tips but it also includes some great resources to better understand the research behind why we do conferences in the first place.

These are just a few resources I found online.  I"m sure there are many others.  At the end of the day we all know that Parent-teacher conferences are an essential opportunity for families and educators to come together in support of each child’s learning and growth. These conversations allow parents to hear firsthand how your child is progressing academically, socially, and emotionally, while also sharing valuable insights about your child’s interests, strengths, and needs at home. By working in partnership, families and teachers can identify goals, celebrate successes, and develop strategies to help students thrive. Most importantly, these conferences reinforce that education is a shared effort—when parents and teachers communicate and collaborate, students benefit.

I hope you all feel a little more prepared now! See you next week!☺

A REMINDER ABOUT WEATHER RELATED SCHOOL CANCELLATION PROCESSES

As the weather begins to get colder and colder, I wanted to just remind families that we have a page on our website dedicated to helping you know what to expect in the event that schools are canceled because of weather.  Our "Storm Day Information" page is a great resource to read and review.  

A few key highlights to understand:

1.  We utilize full day cancellations, early dismissals, and late start days to try and help us to best navigate Maine's sometimes challenging winters.

2.  We have FIVE (5) snow days built into our school calendar.  As we go through the year we will use these five days as "traditional snow days".  However, once those 5 days are exhausted if we need to cancel school due to weather we will then consider using at home learning or what folks lovingly refer to as "remote learning" days.  As we get into the winter, and as we see the need to possibly use remote learning days we will send specific materials home so you know what to expect and plan for.

3.  Predicting Maine's weather is hard, even for professionals.  We will always do our best to make the right call, however if you as a parent ever feel as though your child's safety is at risk to drive to school you always have the final say.  Just let us know.

I encourage you to visit the link to our storm day information page above to learn more and reach out to your school or to me with any questions you may have.  That white stuff tends to sneak up on us! ☺

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

Each October, communities across the country come together to shine a light on breast cancer awareness — a time dedicated to education, prevention, and hope. While Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in the mid-1980s as a way to encourage women to get screened, it has grown into a powerful global movement that reminds us all of the importance of early detection and community support.

In Gorham (and in schools everywhere), this month offers a chance to do more than wear pink — it’s an opportunity to learn, to care, and to stand together. Many of our students, staff, and families have been touched in some way by breast cancer, and through awareness efforts we help ensure that no one faces this journey alone. By talking openly, sharing resources, and participating in events that raise funds for research and patient care, we model compassion and civic responsibility for our students.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us that small actions — scheduling a screening, offering a kind word, wearing pink, or donating to a local cause — can make a lasting difference. 

A REMINDER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4! 

Just a quick reminder to everyone to get out and vote (if you haven't already done so) on November 4! In direct relation to the school, we have two items on the ballot.

One is our annual election of School Committee members. We have two open seats for 3 year terms and one open seat for a one year term. Please be sure to do some research and vote for who you think would best serve our schools. Candidates are:

- For the 3 year term: Jeffrey Ballard and Lowansa Tompkins

- For the 1 year term: Paulette Tateishi

You can view the candidates's forum to learn more about each of these candidates to help inform your vote.

The second item on the ballot related to the Gorham Schools is a request for a re-allocation of already approved bond funds for three capital projects. The question from the sample ballot is below:

A one page (back to front) informational sheet has been created and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

I've also included a quick Q&A below using frequently asked questions I've heard about the project to help inform voters.

Question: Is this question asking for more money from Gorham taxpayers?

Answer: No. This question asks only to RE-ALLOCATE funds that had been approved in November of 2024 to new projects that were not part of that original referendum request.

Question: How can we RE-ALLOCATE those funds? Does this mean those projects approved in November of 2024 won't be completed?

Answer: No. The projects approved in November 2024 were (1) Narraganstt HVAC renovations and (2) GHS cafeteria and modular expansion projects. The Narragansett project has been completed and the GHS cafeteria and modular expansion projects are both fully bid out and well along in their completion. The scheduled completion date for the GHS projects is fall of 2026.

Question: If all the projects approved in November 2024 are either completed or fully funded for completion, how do we have $2.5M "leftover" from those projects? That's a lot of money to be off in estimating project costs isn't it?

Answer: That is a lot of money to have remaining from the projects as they were originally designed, but there is a solid explanation for the remaining funds. The major reason for the remaining funds is that we estimated the overall project costs for the GHS projects with one design, but we actually wound up going with a different design that saved a considerable amount of costs. The key difference was in the design of the modular expansion. In our original designs we replicated what we had done at Narragansett under an old interpretation from the Maine Department of Education as to what a "modular construction" had to be in order to qualify for reimbursements. After the bond had been approved by voters, we became aware that the MDOE had become more flexible in their interpretation of what a modular construction could be, allowing us to change the design of the project to build the structures on site so long as they were moveable. In the past, modulars had to be constructed off site, moved to the site and be able to be moved again in order to qualify. As you can imagine, we were able to save significantly in transportation costs and other building costs as a result of being able to design the project differently. This is where the vast majority of savings comes from in the November 2024 project estimations.

Questions: Why shouldn't we just give these funds back to taxpayers instead of using them on more projects?

Answer: We could, in fact not expend these funds in our November 2024 bond and therefore bond fewer dollars as a result. However the additional three projects are still much needed projects and if we didn't do this re-allocation we would have to request them in a seperate bond request which would require more funding for legal fees associated with a new bond. It would also require additional time, which likely means increasing the total estimated costs for each of the three projects to be completed.

Question: Why are these three projects important?

Answer: The GHS track and field project would allow us to renovate the existing track and field which is in very bad shape. Right now we are not able to host meets on the track because of its poor and unsafe conditions. If left as is, within the next year we will likely have to greatly limit even practices or use of the track for our PE students and community members as a result of the poor safety conditions. The Narragansett ADA and Sprinkler project is needed because the section of sprinklers were looking to update are past their useful life, and aging quickly. These sprinklers were part of the original construction back in the 1980's and are in significant need of repair. If we don't do this as a planned project soon, it will likely become a much more expensive unplanned project. The ADA components of this project will allow greater access for students, staff, and community members to the Narragansett school. The bathrooms that are slated to be renovated as part of this project are not handicapped accessible. The final series of projects related to Great Falls and Village are significant needs due to safety concerns. The Great Falls portion of the project would renovate an existing firelane that is in disrepair and needs to be upgraded so that emergency vehicles can access Great Falls in the event of an emergency. The Village project would cretate a connector road to the Village School Site which would allow two significant safety issues to be addressed. The first is access for emergency vehicles in the event of an emergency. Right now there is only one way in and one way our of Village so in any emergency, vehicles would be fighting over access. Secondly, on a daily basis we would be able to seperate out passenger car traffic from bus traffice coming in and out of Village Elementary School. Right now with just one way in and one way out, parent cars are competing with buses, with pedestrians, and others to access the site. Creating a second point of egress would address these safety concerns.

Again, please get out and vote November 4!

COMMUNITY EVENT REMINDERS

Check out some of these events coming up...

That's it for this blog post!  Next one will be October 31st!  Hopefully you will participate in the survey above to help drive some topics for that one!  Have a great weekend everyone!