February 13 Post

I can’t believe the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter—can you? It already feels like we’ve been in a long stretch of cold and snow, and I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for spring! It looks like we’ll all have to wait just a bit longer. In the meantime, it’s been a very busy two weeks since my last post. Take a moment to check out some photos from around the district, and then we’ll dive into the updates and information ahead.

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month, celebrated every February since 1986, recognizes and honors Black Americans' achievements, contributions, and history. It was established to ensure that the often-overlooked stories of Black individuals are acknowledged and appreciated as an essential part of American history. This month also provides an opportunity to learn about the incredible resilience, leadership, and cultural impact of Black communities throughout our nation's history.

In the Gorham Schools, we take this opportunity to educate and inspire our students by highlighting influential Black figures, exploring important historical events, and encouraging meaningful discussions about Black History. We invite families to join the celebration by reading books, engaging in conversations, and participating in local events recognizing Black history. Together, we can foster an environment of respect, understanding, and appreciation for the contributions of all people.

Here are some great resource links below for families:

- PBS For Kids - Black History Month

- Black History Month Resources from Common Sense Media

- Boys & Girls Clubs of America Black History Month Activities & Resources

-  National Geographic For Kids Black History Month Resources

2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR APPROVED

Earlier this week the Gorham School Committee voted to approve of the 2026-2027 School Calendar.  I will work to get this posted on our website and be made more available from there - but I thought folks might like an early look for planning!

The calendar is pretty much the same as the previous year with no structural changes.  Please reach out with any questions you may have.  Hard to believe we are at 100 days of school today for the 2025-2026 School year and already thinking and planning for another great year in 2026-2027!

2026-2027 School Calendar

FY 27 SCHOOL BUDGET DEVELOPMENT

The very first draft of the proposed FY 27 School Budget was shared with the School Committee on Wednesday night this past week.  You can view the full 100 page document by CLICKING HERE.  The cover letter found at the front of the booklet provides a high level overview of what things look like right now, but please know there is still much work left to do before this budget is finalized by the School Committee.

The next steps for budget development are as follows:

-  School Committee reviews the proposed budget booklet and ask questions of the Superintendent to best understand all that is in the initial proposed budget and why.  Questions are due on the Q&A sheet by Monday, Feb. 23 in prep for our first budget meeting, but questions will be added and answered throughout the remainder of the process.  You can view the Q&A document (which is pretty empty right now but will fill up soon) by CLICKING HERE.  

-  The School Committee will meet for up to FIVE budget workshop meetings scheduled for every Monday night during the month of March as follows:  March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23 and March 30.  All meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.  The meeting on March 9 will be held at Village Elementary School.  All other budget workshop meetings listed will be held at the Superintendent's conference room located on the 2nd floor of the Gorham Municipal Building.  All meetings will be Recorded, and all but the March 9 meeting will be lived streamed via GoCAT TV.

During these meetings, the School Committee may make significant adjustments to the proposed budget based on what they feel is needed.

-  The School Committee will vote to approve of a proposed FY 27 School Budget on April 8 at their regular meeting.  Whatever is approved by the School Committee is then sent to the Town Council for their review and consideration.

-  The Town Council and School Committee will then meet jointly to review the proposed budget on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building.

-  The Town Council will then vote to approve of a proposed school budget at their meeting on May 12th.  

-  Whatever is approved by the Town Council on May 12 will then be sent to the voters for a validation referendum vote scheduled to occur on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

I hope you can see that there is A LOT of work yet to be done on this initial proposed budget before it comes to the Town council and then the voters for approval.  Please follow along...ask questions, and stay informed.  You can follow continued updates on our website LINKED HERE.  

TODAY IS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) APPRECIATION DAY

Well Technically, National SRO appreciation day is Feb. 15, but we won't be in school so we're making our day to celebrate our THREE SRO's here in Gorham TODAY!

We certainly have three of the best in the business!  

Officer Todd Smolinsky Serves the students at Gorham High School.

Offider Mark Sanborn serves the students at Gorham Middle School.

Officer Todd Gagnon serves the students of all three of our elementary schools.

Many people may think that a SRO is just a police officer stationed on school grounds, and you could not be further from the truth if you think that is all that they do.  Yes, our SRO's are sworn law enforcement agents for the Gorham Police Department, however their role is not that of just policing.  

A School Resource Officer is a specially trained law enforcement professional who serves as a valued member of the school community.  While they are sworn police officers, their roles in schools extend far beyond.  SRO's work to build positive relationships with students and families, support school safety planning, provide education on topics such as bullying, drug use, digital safety and just good decision-making.  Most importantly they serve as trusted adults that students can turn to for guidance.  They collaborate closely with school and district leaders, counselors, and staff to help create the safe, supportive and welcoming learning environments our students come to every day.  

Their daily presence helps humanize law enforcement for students and reinforces the shared responsibility we all have in keeping our schools safe.  Most importantly, our SRO's become part of the fabric of our school community - supporting not only our physical safety, but also the sense of trust, belonging, and care that allows students and staff to thrive

Thank you Todd, Mark and Todd!  You are three of the best at what you do!  I don't know if you realize this or not - but our students think each of you are "rock stars"!  Keep up the great work.  GO RAMS!

100 DAYS SMARTER - AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN!

This week, our elementary schools celebrated one of the most joyful milestones of the year—the 100th day of school! While it may sound like just another day on the calendar, in our elementary classrooms it is a moment filled with excitement, creativity, and pride. Students marked the occasion in ways only elementary students can—by creating collections of 100 items, counting to 100 as they walk the hallways, making arts and crafts associated with the number 100 and overall - just loving the number 100!

The 100th day of school is a reminder of the joy that fills our classrooms each day. It is found in the smiles, the creativity, and the sense of accomplishment our students feel. Moments like these remind us that learning is not just about reaching the finish line—it is about celebrating each step along the way. And in Gorham, our students are 100 days stronger, 100 days wiser, and 100 days closer to becoming the incredible learners and leaders we know they will be.  

GORHAM TEACHERS NOMINATED FOR ME COUNTY/STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR!

Each year EducateME requests nominations for the ME State Teacher of the Year.  These nominations come from peers, from parents, and school leaders.  This year the Gorham Schools had several teachers nominated for this prestigious award.  I wanted to make sure to recognize them for the outstanding teachers that they are - regardless of what next steps they choose to take.  Those nominated were:

• Delainey Kein - Great Falls

• Allison Stanley - Great Falls

• Kelly Tole - Great Falls

• Heather VanLuling - Great Falls

• Natasha Jordan - Great Falls

• Susan Ferris - Great Falls

• Karen Lyford - Narragansett

• Sarah Drury - GHS

• Stephanie Ramons - GHS

The next step in the process is for these teachers to decide if they want to complete the application process.  If they do - they are then considered as part of the candidate pool and go from there.  Want to learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year Award process - CLICK HERE.  

Congratulations to these incredible teachers!  I hope you all apply for the next steps - you deserve it!

WITH GRATITUDE FROM NASHVILLE

As I prepare to travel home from the National Conference on Education in Nashville tomorrow, I wanted to take a moment to share my sincere thanks to the Gorham community. Over the past several weeks, I have been deeply appreciative of the many messages of encouragement and support I received as I moved through the nomination process for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year. While I did not receive the national honor, being named one of the four finalists has been an extraordinary and humbling experience—one that I will carry with me long after the conference concludes.

What has been most important to me throughout this process is recognizing that this acknowledgment was never about one individual. It reflects the collective work of an entire community. It belongs to the Gorham students who show up each day with curiosity, resilience, and hope. It belongs to the educators, counselors, bus drivers, nurses, administrators, and support staff who commit themselves daily to supporting our students not only academically, but as whole people. It belongs to the families who partner with us and to a community that consistently demonstrates its belief in the power and promise of public education.

I have been genuinely moved by the outpouring of support, kind words, and encouragement. Those messages served as an important reminder of how fortunate I am to be part of a community that cares so deeply about its schools and its children.

A Commitment to Continue the Work Together

While this recognition brought me to Nashville, my heart and my purpose remain in Gorham. It is a privilege to serve this community, and I remain deeply committed to the important work we are doing together. Everything we accomplish is the result of shared effort, shared belief, and shared responsibility. I am grateful every day for the trust you place in our schools and in me as your superintendent.

I return home with a renewed sense of humility, appreciation, and resolve—to continue listening, learning, and working alongside all of you to ensure that Gorham’s schools remain places where every student is supported, challenged, and inspired. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this community and for the opportunity to serve.

Have a great vacation week everyone! My next blog will be a little later this time due to the break - will send the next one out on March 6!