http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/-t1.htm School news. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:03:10 GMT 10 http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/11/65/21/31/banner10.jpg http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/-t1.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/bonny-eagle-graduation-actions-explained-attacked-t18819.htm Outspoken Bonny Eagle graduation actions explained, attacked The SAD 6 school board votes to form a committee after hearing from parents and the superintendent. By JOHN RICHARDSON Staff Writer Portland Press Herald BUXTON — Parents and recent graduates of Bonny Eagle High School demanded an apology from school administrators Monday for a crackdown on student celebrations that they said ruined the June 12 graduation. Several also said Superintendent Suzanne Lukas should be ousted because ... Maine Schools Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:03:10 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/bonny-eagle-graduation-actions-explained-attacked-t18819.htm#22128 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/bonny-eagle-graduation-actions-explained-attacked-t18819.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/merger-fighter-presses-forward-t18814.htm Outspoken Merger fighter presses forward BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel The man leading the charge to repeal Maine's school district consolidation mandate renewed his call Monday to scrap the law. But he also thanked Gov. John Baldacci for signing legislation that delays consolidation-related penalties for a year. Skip Greenlaw, chairman of the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, said he and other repeal supporters are ratcheting up their campaign against the law in time ... Maine Schools Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:37:47 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/merger-fighter-presses-forward-t18814.htm#22123 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/merger-fighter-presses-forward-t18814.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/educator-gets-chance-to-explain-graduation-t18811.htm Outspoken Educator gets chance to explain graduation The school board that oversees Bonny Eagle High meets privately to hear the superintendent's account. By DAVID HENCH Staff Writer Portland Press Herald An emergency closed-door meeting of the school board that oversees Bonny Eagle High School was intended to give members a chance to question the superintendent about disruptions and discipline at last week's graduation, some members said Friday. The School Administrative District 6 board ... Maine Schools Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:40:09 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/educator-gets-chance-to-explain-graduation-t18811.htm#22118 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/educator-gets-chance-to-explain-graduation-t18811.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/baldacci-delays-consolidation-penalties-t18809.htm Outspoken Baldacci delays consolidation penalties BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- The dozens of school districts across Maine facing penalties for turning down school district consolidation plans were granted a yearlong reprieve from the fines Friday. Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill that will delay penalties levied on small, mostly rural school districts whose residents voted against district mergers. But his signature came with a caveat: Districts need to ... Maine Schools Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:29:57 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/baldacci-delays-consolidation-penalties-t18809.htm#22116 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/baldacci-delays-consolidation-penalties-t18809.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/waterville-a-free-lunch-for-all-t18804.htm Outspoken WATERVILLE: A FREE LUNCH FOR ALL BY AMY CALDER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel WATERVILLE -- Children in the area should not go hungry this summer, as Waterville Public Schools provides free lunches at three sites in the city. And for the first time, the school system also will work with the Alfond Youth Center's YMCA Day Camp Tracy to serve picnic lunches for children at the summer camp, located on McGrath Pond in Oakland. The Alfond Center, which comprises the Waterville Area ... Maine Schools Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:56:33 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/waterville-a-free-lunch-for-all-t18804.htm#22111 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/waterville-a-free-lunch-for-all-t18804.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/bonny-eagle-graduation-critics-will-get-a-hearing-t18781.htm Outspoken Bonny Eagle graduation critics will get a hearing Some students and parents complain that a crackdown on hijinks went too far. By JOHN RICHARDSON Staff Writer Portland Press Herald Leaders of the Bonny Eagle school district plan to meet Monday with upset parents and students in the wake of complaints about the way the high school's graduation unfolded Friday. "The object of the meeting is how do we make graduation better," said David Hopkins, chair of the Board of Directors ... Maine Schools Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:54:33 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/bonny-eagle-graduation-critics-will-get-a-hearing-t18781.htm#22085 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/bonny-eagle-graduation-critics-will-get-a-hearing-t18781.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/difficult-time-to-add-new-laptops-t18757.htm Outspoken Difficult time to add new laptops With no cash reserves and state aid falling, Portland requests a stimulus waiver to equip its high schools. By KELLEY BOUCHARD Staff Writer Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — School officials are seeking a waiver from federal rules so they can use stimulus money intended for disadvantaged children to help buy laptop computers for all students at the city's three public high schools. If the cash-strapped district doesn't get the waiver, its high ... Maine Schools Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:58:56 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/difficult-time-to-add-new-laptops-t18757.htm#22056 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/difficult-time-to-add-new-laptops-t18757.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/students-pursue-charged-careers-t18753.htm Outspoken Students pursue charged careers Area colleges offering training designed to land jobs in environmentally friendly energy industry BY VALERIE TUCKER Correspondent Morning Sentinel FARMINGTON -- Students in western Maine are pursuing training for jobs in renewable energy. Young trainees from SAD 9's Foster Regional Applied Technology Center worked with Wayne Moody and Richard Mitchell, owners of Maine Energy Savers, learning to reduce the average homeowner's energy costs. The ... Maine Schools Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:58:57 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/students-pursue-charged-careers-t18753.htm#22051 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/students-pursue-charged-careers-t18753.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/we-are-reeling-a-little-bit-t18750.htm Outspoken 'WE ARE REELING A LITTLE BIT' BY SCOTT MONROE Staff WriterMorning Sentinel FAIRFIELD -- Back in April, Timothy Marshall, 17, arrived at the Good Will-Hinckley Homes for Boys & Girls. The school for troubled youth is 21/2 hours away from his parents' home in Eliot, a town along the southwestern tip of Maine. The teenager was placed by the state at Good Will after he was determined to be unsafe to himself and others, requiring full-time counseling and professional supervision, ... Maine Schools Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:53:06 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/we-are-reeling-a-little-bit-t18750.htm#22048 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/we-are-reeling-a-little-bit-t18750.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/windfall-for-waterville-school-libraries-t18740.htm Outspoken Windfall for Waterville school libraries BY COLIN HICKEY Staff Writer Morning Sentinel WATERVILLE -- Excuse the scream of excitement that shook the bookshelves at the Waterville Senior High School library Friday. That was head librarian Kathleen Toubman, and she can hardly be faulted. Toubman learned Friday that the Waterville school system will receive a $243,643 from the federal Literacy & School Libraries program. "It is going to be such a wonderful benefit ... Maine Schools Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:23:45 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/windfall-for-waterville-school-libraries-t18740.htm#22036 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/windfall-for-waterville-school-libraries-t18740.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/house-oks-legislation-on-charter-schools-t18701.htm Outspoken House OKs legislation on charter schools BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Kennebec Journal AUGUSTA -- House members backed a bill Friday that would allow charter schools in Maine, one day after the Senate voted 22-13 against the legislation. House members voted 72-65 to allow the public, independently run schools. The House bill allows 10 charter schools in Maine during a 10-year pilot period. The schools, which are free from many of the regulations governing locally funded public ... Maine Schools Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:28:19 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/house-oks-legislation-on-charter-schools-t18701.htm#21989 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/house-oks-legislation-on-charter-schools-t18701.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-rejects-charter-schools-risking-us-funds-t18688.htm Outspoken Senate rejects charter schools, risking U.S. funds BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Kennebec Journal AUGUSTA -- The Senate decisively shot down a bid to allow charter schools in Maine on Thursday, putting Maine's access to certain federal funds in doubt. The 22-13 vote split largely along party lines. Democrats voted 17-3 to kill the bill while Republicans voted 10-5 in favor of allowing the independently run, public schools. The bill next goes to the Maine House for consideration. Maine ... Maine Schools Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:43:31 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-rejects-charter-schools-risking-us-funds-t18688.htm#21976 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-rejects-charter-schools-risking-us-funds-t18688.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-repeal-consolidation-t18687.htm Outspoken Senate: Repeal consolidation BY MATTHEW STONE AND SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writers Kennebec Journal AUGUSTA -- The Maine Senate narrowly backed a repeal of Maine's school district consolidation law Thursday, a day after the House narrowly opposed the same measure. Senators, after little debate Thursday afternoon, voted 19-16 for the consolidation repeal measure, which has been forced by a citizen initiative process. The Senate vote was largely along party lines, with Republicans ... Maine Schools Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:27:40 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-repeal-consolidation-t18687.htm#21975 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-repeal-consolidation-t18687.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/statehouse-house-backs-delay-in-consolidation-penalties-t18675.htm Outspoken STATEHOUSE: House backs delay in consolidation penalties BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Fayette, Madison, Winthrop and the dozens of other Maine towns facing penalties for their votes against school district consolidation plans are one step closer to a one-year reprieve from those fines. The Maine House overwhelmingly backed a measure Wednesday that would delay for a year the penalties levied on school systems that turned down district merger plans. The ... Maine Schools Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:22:20 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/statehouse-house-backs-delay-in-consolidation-penalties-t18675.htm#21960 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/statehouse-house-backs-delay-in-consolidation-penalties-t18675.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/lawmaker-crafting-revised-school-bill-t18656.htm Outspoken Lawmaker crafting revised school bill State House: The revisions limit the number of charter facilities allowed and trim the schools' enrollment. By MATTHEW STONE Kennebec Journal AUGUSTA — A Biddeford legislator is at work on a charter schools compromise as lawmakers prepare for debate on a bill that would allow the independently run schools in Maine. Democratic Rep. Alan Casavant is proposing further limits on charter schools following a legislative panel's 8-5 vote in May ... Maine Schools Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:50:39 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/lawmaker-crafting-revised-school-bill-t18656.htm#21939 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/lawmaker-crafting-revised-school-bill-t18656.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/charter-schools-debate-looms-t18649.htm Outspoken Charter schools debate looms BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- A Biddeford legislator is at work on a charter schools compromise as lawmakers prepare for debate on a bill that would allow the independently run schools in Maine. Democratic Rep. Alan Casavant is proposing further limits on charter schools following a legislative panel's 8-5 vote in May against the charter schools bill, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton. Charter schools opponents ... Maine Schools Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:00:36 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/charter-schools-debate-looms-t18649.htm#21931 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/charter-schools-debate-looms-t18649.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/local-students-on-big-stage-t18648.htm Outspoken Local students on big stage BY COLIN HICKEY Staff Writer Morning Sentinel Ashley Witham had no grand ambitions when she enrolled in the culinary arts program at Mid-Maine Technical Center. "I just like to cook," the Messalonskee High School senior said, "and I thought it would just be a fun class to take to see if I would be interested in that as a career." Witham's whim turned out to be her ticket to baking glory. The Smithfield resident, who was ... Maine Schools Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:58:53 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/local-students-on-big-stage-t18648.htm#21930 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/local-students-on-big-stage-t18648.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-president-rips-consolidation-t18587.htm Outspoken Senate president rips consolidation BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell expressed serious doubts Wednesday about school district consolidation, saying it caused an increase to the property tax rate in her town. Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, told approximately 60 people gathered for a Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Insider Breakfast she expects debate on a citizen initiative to repeal the measure to take place in the House ... Maine Schools Thu, 21 May 2009 23:42:29 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-president-rips-consolidation-t18587.htm#21859 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/senate-president-rips-consolidation-t18587.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/robotics-team-places-third-t18573.htm Outspoken Robotics team places third BY COLIN HICKEY Staff Writer Morning Sentinel OAKLAND -- Members of the Messalonskee High School Robotics Team discovered recently that the best offense is a strong defense. Such was the lesson learned earlier this month at the robotics competition at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass. The Messalonskee team, known as Infinite Loop, emerged with third-place honors. "Our robot didn't necessarily play offense that well," Infinite ... Maine Schools Wed, 20 May 2009 10:46:41 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/robotics-team-places-third-t18573.htm#21844 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/robotics-team-places-third-t18573.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/trustees-ok-tuition-increase-for-university-system-t18572.htm Outspoken Trustees OK tuition increase for university system BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel The University of Maine System's 45,000 students will pay up to 6 percent more in tuition starting this fall, system trustees decided Monday. Full-time undergraduate students at Maine's seven public universities will see tuition increases ranging from 5.3 percent at the University of Maine at Augusta -- which will charge full-time, in-state students $6,000 for the 2009-10 year ... Maine Schools Tue, 19 May 2009 11:11:25 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/trustees-ok-tuition-increase-for-university-system-t18572.htm#21842 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/trustees-ok-tuition-increase-for-university-system-t18572.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/student-tracking-bill-approved-t18546.htm Outspoken Student tracking bill approved BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- A legislative committee gave initial approval Thursday to a bill that would allow Maine to track student progress by Social Security number. The unanimous vote, however, came after lawmakers sought assurances that student data would be secure and that parents would have the right to withhold their children's Social Security numbers from the data collection. If the bill wins approval from ... Maine Schools Sat, 16 May 2009 00:24:12 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/student-tracking-bill-approved-t18546.htm#21811 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/student-tracking-bill-approved-t18546.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/charter-schools-t18545.htm Outspoken CHARTER SCHOOLS BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Maine might lose its distinction as one of 10 states that do not allow charter schools -- but it won't happen just yet. A legislative panel shied away from a vote Thursday on legislation that would allow the independently commissioned schools in Maine. Lawmakers hit a snag in debate over the number of charter schools the state might initially allow, and the percentage of charter school teachers who would ... Maine Schools Sat, 16 May 2009 00:21:39 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/charter-schools-t18545.htm#21810 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/charter-schools-t18545.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/graduation-requirements-legislation-ignites-debate-t18527.htm Outspoken Graduation requirements legislation ignites debate BY MATTHEW STONE Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Technical-school officials and business leaders are praising legislation to reshape Maine's graduation requirements, while arts, language and physical education teachers say the bill represents a step backward. The Legislature's Education Committee heard testimony from dozens Monday as the panel considered a state-backed proposal to redefine what students need to do to graduate ... Maine Schools Thu, 14 May 2009 00:45:35 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/graduation-requirements-legislation-ignites-debate-t18527.htm#21790 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/graduation-requirements-legislation-ignites-debate-t18527.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/collins-lauds-unity-college-record-t18498.htm Outspoken Collins lauds Unity College record BY LARRY GRARD Staff Writer Morning Sentinel UNITY -- In her commencement address to 90 graduating Unity College seniors Saturday, Sen. Susan Collins praised the college for 44 years of producing graduates "ready to meet the demands of today." College President Mitchell Thomashow conferred an honorary degree upon Collins, whom he described as a courageous leader in environmental conservation. Unity College, Collins said, is America's ... Maine Schools Mon, 11 May 2009 23:40:03 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/collins-lauds-unity-college-record-t18498.htm#21758 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/collins-lauds-unity-college-record-t18498.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/graduates-hail-uma-time-t18493.htm Outspoken Graduates hail UMA time BY MECHELE COOPER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Jasmine Dupont wore her "Dorothy" shoes to the University of Augusta graduation. More than 577 students attended the 41st annual commencement exercises on Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center. Her red satin high-heels glittered as she waited with her friends for the procession to begin. Dupont, 27, of Augusta, said she had a positive experience at UMA and was fortunate to have ... Maine Schools Mon, 11 May 2009 23:22:50 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/graduates-hail-uma-time-t18493.htm#21752 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-schools-f11/graduates-hail-uma-time-t18493.htm