Work continues on 2021 RSU 68 budget 

DOVER-FOXCROFT — RSU 68 officials are looking at an approximate 1.3 percent budget increase, in both the spending plan total and the tax commitment to the four district communities.

“After our budget meeting last week the budget committee approved a 1.33 percent increase from last year,” Superintendent Stacy Shorey said during a March 3 school board meeting at the SeDoMoCha School. Shorey said after projected revenues have been factored in, the tax commitment would also be up by 1.33 percent. She said district officials are still awaiting the final numbers pertaining to health insurance.

Last spring a $11,784,238 RSU 68 budget for the 2019-20 academic year was approved at the polls by residents of Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson and Sebec. The amount was up by nearly $225,000 from 2019. The four RSU 68 communities had a combined local assessment of $4,704,087 for 2019-20, approximately $69,500 more than the year before.

In other business, Shorey said wood for the gym floor was scheduled to arrive next week and would be installed after some more floorwork such as leveling the surface and filling in portions.

A little over a month ago a pipe burst in the athletic director’s office, causing water to flood in the gymnasium and cafeteria. The gym floor was a total loss due to the water damage and as a result physical education classes and athletics had to be readjusted to accommodate the loss of the use of the gym.

“We’re hoping by the middle of April to be in the gym,” Shorey said. She said plans are to have a ribbon cutting for the new gym floor to recognize teachers, firefighters and others who have assisted with the project.

“We do want to thank FA for being generous hosts so we could continue our after-school programming,” SeDoMoCha School Principal Adam Gudroe said.

“Unified basketball is up and running, we are very excited about that,” Gudroe said, saying Foxcroft Academy has had a team for several seasons in which students with developmental disabilities (unified student-athletes) and their peers without developmental disabilities (unified student partners) to train, compete and represent their school together.

“We have seven players and six helpers for our first season,” Gudroe said.

“It’s difficult to put into words the excitement I had sitting on the sideline watching our players play,” coach Diane Stephen said. “It’s kids helping kids out, everyone is cheering for everyone,” she said, saying during a recent game in Newport players would hand the ball to those on the opposition following rebounds.

Stephen said she truly enjoyed “watching the smiles on their faces and seeing the effort and determination of these kids.”

“It’s a great opportunity for our community, not just the players but the helpers, the coaches and the parents,” Gudroe said.

Foxcroft Academy Head of School Arnold Shorey reported on several items. 

“You probably saw our statement on the coronavirus on the website,” he told the school board. “There is really not much to deal with but to be as proactive as possible.”

In the February newsletter, Shorey wrote, “With the coronavirus becoming a global concern, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the steps and precautions that Foxcroft Academy has taken. First, our FA boarding students are not from the areas where the coronavirus originated. Students did not travel home during the February break to areas of the world that have been identified as a health risk. We will evaluate with the students from areas of concern and their families about the virus to see if it is prudent to allow travel during the April break.

“I am happy to report that our students’ families are safe and we are providing support for our students who may be experiencing anxiety about their family’s safety. Secondly, Mr.Tardy, Assistant Head of School for Admissions, and I have canceled any plans of travel to areas that have been identified as a health risk. And finally, as we are in the flu season, we have re-emphasized proper steps and procedures that support good health, such as proper coughing and sneezing techniques, staying home if you feel ill, washing hands often, avoiding touching your own nose and eyes, and making use of the hand sanitizer stations located in classrooms and others many areas of the school. Through our school nurse, Mrs. Gilbert, we are in contact with the State and National Centers for Disease Control and are monitoring daily information and updates. 

“I want to convey that no one at Foxcroft Academy has been exposed to areas of concern about the coronavirus and there are no plans for anyone to travel to and from these areas.”

“We have inked a 5-year extension with the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl so we are very happy with that,” Shorey said, as the school will host training camp for the annual Maine high school football senior all-star game. “This is a worthwhile endeavor, it does a lot for the children’s hospital and we are very proud of that.”

The newsletter stated  “This will be the second five-year deal the two have reached. Since 2015, Foxcroft Academy has been the destination for the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic training camps. More than 110 student-athletes and coaches from both the East and West teams are housed on the Foxcroft Academy campus in July and will hold three practice sessions each day as they prepare for the Lobster Bowl game which will be played at Thornton Academy in Saco. 

“‘It’s a great honor to continue to work with the Maine Shriners who work tirelessly in supporting essential medical services for young people,’ said Head of School Arnold Shorey. ‘The Lobster Bowl is a great Maine football tradition, and we have had the honor to host the fine student-athletes for the last five years. I’m very happy to be able to continue the part.’”

“Our internships are off the ground and running, we have two interns at A.E. Robinson and all parties are happy,” Shorey said.

He said all seniors will have a career exploration requirement, such as interning, job shadowing, interviewing someone in a field of interest, etc. Shorey said currently students are also working as interns at the Piscataquis County Ice Arena and Northern Light Mayo Hospital.