Classes underway at SeDoMoCha School

CHARLESTON — Less than a week after students returned to the building for the start of the new school year, RSU 68 officials heard about the start of classes from district administrators during a meeting Tuesday evening at the Charleston town office.

SeDoMoCha School Principal Cameron Archer said the pre-kindergarten to grade 8 building currently has an enrollment of 628, split 357/271 between the elementary and middle schools.

“That is down 40-45 from where we ended last school year,” Archer said. “We had a big eighth grade class.”

An open house was held the previous Monday before the first day with many families new to the district attending, he said. All of those stopping by got to see their classrooms and speak with their teachers.

“It has been a fabulous start, great enthusiasm and energy in the building,” Archer said.

He said the after-school program is set to start on Sept. 15.

“That’s just a really nice outlet for some of our students to extend our school day,” the principal said about the academic and extracurricular grant-funded program.

SeDoMoCha Middle School athletics are underway with Eagles teams’ first games this week and next. A total of 114 students are taking part and/or signed up at the moment and this number could increase a bit with a few opting to play golf and run cross country.

“We did not have to cut, we’re fortunate to have A and B boys soccer teams, A and B girls soccer teams and cross country,” Archer said, as students can play the sport of their choice. He said it has been a number of years since last having four soccer teams.

“It’s been a positive, upbeat start to the school year,” Assistant Principal Davan Walker said, saying she is proud of all the work teachers and staff have put in.

Attendance will be a major focus of the 2025-26 academic year.

“We’re really wanting students, teachers and the community to be engaged in attendance this year,” Walker said. She said classrooms will be tracking the numbers this year and some students have taken the lead in their homerooms.

The goal is to have 95 percent attendance each week.

Superintendent Stacy Shorey echoed Archer and Walker’s comments about the great start of school. “The first day of school went really well and we had lots of smiles,” she said.

The contractor has built a platform behind the superintendent’s office at 572 Bangor Road to be able to reach the attic for the HVAC project, Shorey said.

Last June RSU 68 residents approved a $971,540 loan for the building HVAC system through the Maine Department of Education’s zero interest rate/loan forgiveness School Revolving Renovation Fund for indoor air quality renovations.

Under the program the Maine Municipal Bond Bank has given RSU 68 loan forgiveness of about two thirds of the expenses of the loan principal, an estimated $640,925. The district is obligated to replay only 34 percent or an estimated $330,615. Payments of just over $33,000 would be made annually over a decade with zero percent interest.

The 572 Bangor Road building, which for many years was the Charlotte White Center central office, was constructed in 1982. HVAC equipment was replaced in 2000 but the design problem of no mechanical ventilation was not remedied and currently student space is not adequately ventilated.

The complex includes the superintendent’s office as well as leased space for Hayes Law Office, together making up about 16 percent of the building. These areas are not covered by the School Revolving Renovation Fund since students are not there. 

RSU 68 will pay $127,000 for superintendents and law office ventilation upgrades. This will come out of maintenance reserve funds.

Shorey and School Board Chair Jenny Chase attended a Dover-Foxcroft Select Board meeting the week prior and a question arose of lowering the speed limit by the 572 Bangor Road to 15 mph when daycare children are present. 

Coincidentally a Maine Department of Transportation representative was present at the meeting. He quickly said this was not possible as the regular speed limit is 55 mph on this stretch of road. 

There are signs posted for both directions informing drivers that students are present.