2016 Annual Report MSAD #28 CAMDEN ROCKPORT

Sincerely, Maria Libby Superintendent

Photo: Village Soup

Our district is blessed with an excellent school system that is due in large part to the appreciation residents have for the value of a high quality education. The staff and students at the Camden-Rockport Middle School and Camden-Rockport Elementary School are equally committed to a high quality education and continually strive to make our great schools even better. As Superintendent, I am working hard to intentionally build a culture of continual improvement that is balanced by an underlying structure of consistency and a sense of joy. During this school year, we have streamlined dozens of internal protocols, revised a plethora of policies, and initiated deep conversations about many topics from the amount of play in Kindergarten to better supports for behavior concerns. We have also tried new structures to give teachers a stronger leadership voice and have also focused on administrator professional development and teamwork. These representative efforts reflect our desire to become the best version of an educational system that we can be.

THE BEST VERSION OF OURSELVES

We will be going through a change in building leadership at the elementary school as well as changes on the school board for 2016-17, but very little teacher turnover. This will be an opportunity for staff to affirm our commitment to high academic expectations balanced with strong support for social and emotional development. We view these developmental years as a collaborative effort between parents and the schools as we share the goal for our students to become and remain emotionally secure, confident, competent, and healthy. We are in the midst of building something great here – I hope you can feel it!

Table of Contents

District Goals 2 Camden-Rockport Middle School 4 Camden-Rockport Elementary School 6 CRMS Building Project 8 Data 10 Finance Report 11 2016-17 Expenses/Priorities 12 2016-17 Revenue/Budget 13

photo: Village Soup

MSAD #28 BOARD GOALS 2015-16 Goal #1: Leadership I. Support administration in actively working to foster effective leadership at all levels. Goal #2: Achievement I. By June 2016, 75% of students in grades 3 - 8 will demonstrate a year or more growth in reading and mathematics on

NWEA tests, and 100% of students will show some improvement. Goal #3: Curriculum I. To continue implementing the plan for a proficiency-based diploma to be awarded for the class of 2021. II. Ensure the K –8 grading system has these characteristics: reflects student performance based on identified standards,

sensitive to variations in student proficiency, understood by stakeholders, has consistent elements within the five town schools.

Goal #4: Instruction I. Improved student engagement and ownership by increasing independence and opportunity for critical thinking. Goal #5: Vision I. Determine the most strategic short and long-term solutions to the middle school facility.

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School Teacher Qualifications School CRMS CRES

Total number of Teachers 36 35

Average Years Experience 18 18

% with a Bachelor’s Degree 36% 66%

% with a Master’s Degree 64% 34%

% meeting “Highly Qualified Teacher” status 100% 100%

School Board Chair Report The school board, by state statute, is the governing body of a school administrative unit. Like the governor or the president, a school board’s collective responsibility is to fulfill the laws enacted by the Legislature and to govern the organization for which it is responsible. Donald A. Kopp, School Law Advisory The law that created the framework for Maine’s local school boards only requires that a school board comply with state law in operating the schools for which the board is responsible. However, all communities expect that their schools maintain facilities, adopt policies, teach curriculum, and offer programs that are reflective of local community values. The true job of a school board is to operate the schools in a manner that is responsive to community expectations while adhering to state law. The School Board for MSAD #28 works with the Superintendent to make sure that our schools satisfy community expectations while conforming to state law. As reflects our community, the board supports safe and welcoming school facilities, an ambitious and thoughtful curriculum, modern and wise policies, and a varied set of educational programs. Changes in state law often come with deadlines that are non-negotiable. This means that the school board must prioritize the tasks assigned to the school administration due to the volume of work caused by changes in the law as well as by what our community needs. In all cases, the objective is to create the best possible educational environment for our children. Matt Dailey, MSAD #28, Board Chair

Camden-Rockport Middle School Principal’s Letter

We have had a fantastic year at CRMS! Our students are vibrant, talented, and filled with exceptional energy that brings our school to life every single day. The meaningful connections we developed in our first few weeks of school created healthy roots for us to grow from throughout the year. Our success over the course of the year is largely accredited to the strength of our staff; they are creative, tenacious, and fully committed to the success of each child. I am so proud that our first ever school song, Sail On!, brought music to the story of CRMS. We are fortunate to be the place “where the mountain meets the sea” and the community that surrounds us gives us strength and pride in all we do. Thank you to our families, community partners, volunteers, CRMS staff members, our students, and everybody who has contributed to our school community this year. Onward! Jaime Stone, Principal

Staff Accomplishments The first ever CRMS School Song, Sail On!, debuted! Thank you to Allysa Anderson, music and chorale teacher, for her leadership of this impactful project and Youth Arts for their support. Kristen Andersen - Maine Middle Art Educator of the Year Jaime Stone - New England League of Middle Schools Administrator of the Year

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Team accomplishments: 2015 Cross Country - Boys Busline League runners up 2015 Girls Soccer -Busline League Champions 2015 Math Team - Central Maine Middle School Math League & Mathcounts chapter winners – Jay Hokkanen, Thor Gabrielsen, Jonathan McDevitt, Bryler Fisher 2015 Math Team State Level- Thor Gabrielsen 2015-2016 Wrestling, Regional Champions Individual Student accomplishments: 2015 Spelling Bee champion - Robyn Walker-Spencer 2015 Geography Bee champion - Greyson Orne, who also qualified for the State Geography Bee 2015 Lions Club Peace Poster contest winner - Addison Weisbruch 2015 Patriot's Pen Essay contest winner - Annabel Milisa-Parker 2015 Mathcounts Chapter 1st place winner and State competition 4th place winner - Thor Gabrielsen 2015 District III Honors Music Festival 6th grade District III Chorus Emma Bink, Iselin Bratz, Ryan Clifford, Nora Fink, Will Jurek, Kennedy Peterson, Caleb Sabanty, Kaitlyn Walker-Spencer, Lillia Stone, Lucas Marriner-Ward, Maddie Ives-Yandell

7th & 8th grade District III Chorus Kathryn Gildred, Eleanor Greer, Grace Iltis , Elaine Landry, Anunthaya MacDonnell, Annabel Milisa-Parker, Robyn Walker-Spencer

6th grade District III Band Greg Cameron, Aidan O'Connell, Lauren Schenk, Ben Schenk, Henry Pharris, Adrian Pierce, Noah Thackeray, Sadie Woodruff, Oliver Worner

7th & 8th grade District III Band Danila Borodaenko, Tanner Castellano, Ruben Feldman, Lexi Heidorn, Katherine O’Brien

District III Honors Jazz Band Ezra LeMole, Grace Iltis

CRMS Student Highlights

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Camden-Rockport Elementary School is a learning community that is proud of its core values of: Fairness, Honesty, Kindness, Respect, and Trust. It is a joyous and safe place and provides a high-quality education for all students, K-4. A balanced curriculum is enriched throughout the year by various visual and performing art experiences and other curricular extensions. The larger community of Camden-Rockport is a strong supporter of our school, and members donate their time and talents in many ways. Our dedicated PTA members volunteer in classrooms and support a wide variety of school events. Artistic experiences are sponsored by Youth Arts, and the Bisbee Fund provides funds for field trips and enrichment opportunities. This year approximately 375 students were enrolled at CRES. The highlights of this school year included enrichment activities, community service projects, and academic successes. There is much to celebrate at CRES where the focus is on achieving our mission statement daily: providing a high-quality educational experience within a balanced, child-centered education in a safe place where students can learn. Janet Anderson, Principal

Camden-Rockport Elementary School Principal’s Letter

• Kindergarteners learned about Native Americans from Barry Dana. • Kindergarten, first, second, and third graders enjoyed presentations about Maine animals and nature

through Chewonki. • Second graders traveled to Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center to learn about animal habitats

and Maine mammals. • Several authors visited various classes to share the writing process and information about their books. • Third graders met with Ilene Weintraub to learn about nature journaling and sketching. • Fourth graders participated in a day-long community building workshop at Tanglewood in the fall.

Various enrichment opportunities, funded by the Bisbee Fund, supported each grade this year:

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K-kids is an after school community service club at CRES for third and fourth grade students. The club is sponsored by our local Kiwanis. Students meet twice a month throughout the year and participate in a variety of projects that support our “school, neighborhood, and environment.” Fourth graders made history come alive with Mystery History. Students chose a historical figure and researched important facts, information and the contributions of these scientists, authors, politicians, athletes, and musicians.

Home by the Sea, directed by Scott Dyer, was performed by third graders at the Camden Opera House in the spring. Preparation for this event included classroom extensions and is an integrated part of the social studies curriculum for 3rd grade. Fourth graders helped Rockport celebrate its 125th anniversary in February by presenting a play about the history of the town. Mr. Dyer, our music teacher, directed and wrote the play Home by the Sea and adapted it for this special occasion.

CRES Student & School Highlights

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Camden-Rockport Middle School Project Ballot November 2017

WHY: The current facility is failing and requires significant investment to repair, maintain, and bring up to standard. Parts of the building have already been condemned. A major renovation or new school is our best investment – it will cost less in the long run and can address safety and educational improvements that are impossible with the current facility.

WHEN: We plan to bring a proposal to voters in November of 2017.

HOW: We heard you and we are launching a new initiative. With ample community input, a strong effort to minimize costs (including a capital campaign), and better communication, we intend to bring a modest, flexible, and neighborhood friendly plan to voters for a project that will serve as a community hub.

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Investing in the future of our community

The middle school facility is functionally obsolete

We need a healthy and safe environment for our children

A first-rate educational program should be paired with a first-rate facility

The best and brightest families go to where the best schools are

The serious traffic safety issues on Knowlton Street need to be addressed

Great facilities create a more attractive retirement destination

A right-sized building saves energy and costs

Let’s create education opportunities for creativity and collaboration – 21st century

The downtown location = hub of community activity

We will offset tax impact with capital campaign and capital reserve fund 9

Student Data The MEA Science test is administered every spring, so this data reflects

the 2015 spring test and two previous years.

This data is collected from NWEA MAP testing. The MAP is a nationally normed school wide standardized test we administer

in grades 2 - 8. The data shows growth from Spring 2014 to Spring of 2015 and percentage of students at or above the 50th

percentile on the Spring 2015 assessment.

Stud

ent D

emog

raph

ics

Total Economically Identified Enrollment Disadvantaged Special Ed

2012-13 MSAD

2012-13 STATE

2013-14 MSAD

2013-14 STATE

2014-15 MSAD

2014-15 STATE

Grade 5 85% 74% 75% 63% 75% 65%

Grade 8 79% 72% 86% 73% 82% 71%

READING CRES CRMS

Met Growth Targets 51% 61%

Met Proficiency Targets 79% 80%

MATH CRES CRMS

Met Growth Targets 40% 55%

Met Proficiency Targets 87% 77%

MEA

Sci

ence

NW

EA

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Each year the finance committee for the board of directors for Maine School Administrative District 28 directs the district’s administration through the budget development process. There are two guiding principles that the committee uses as the proposed budget is created. I believe that both of these principles reflect the core values of our communities with respect to how our schools should be governed. The first principle is that the depth and breadth of the curriculum and programs offered in our schools is fundamental and is worth being preserved. The second principle is that the building and grounds of our schools need to be maintained as safe and healthy places. I believe that both of these principles have been adhered to in the proposed 2016-2017 budget, which includes a sizable allocation for the middle school’s operations & maintenance.

Due to careful budgeting, an increase in state revenues, and a decrease in our debt service, the increase to the taxpayer for the 2016-2017 budget is .68%, or $80,398, and the increase to the expense budget is 1.79%, or $230,195.

We are also asking for approval to establish a capital maintenance reserve account for our buildings. As the CRMS Middle School is in flux we have budgeted for, but then deferred some major capital improvements. We are asking to transfer to that reserve from unexpended balances an amount of $350,000 which in the future will offset repairs to the existing building or will offset the impact to taxpayers if in fact a new Middle School building project is approved.

The voter approval process begins with our Budget Meeting being held at the CHRHS Strom Auditorium on May 24th from 6-7PM where voters will approve individual warrant articles and budget amounts associated with each cost center. The School Budget will then be approved in total, at the Camden and Rockport town referendums on June 14th. John Lewis, MSAD #28, Finance Chair

Budget Information can be found on our website www.fivetowns.net.

2016-17 Finance Report

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photo: Village Soup

Budget Priorities Where does the money go ?

Budget Information can be found on our website www.fivetowns.net

Budget Meeting – May 24th, Strom 6-7p.m. Vote – June 14th

Minimize impact to taxpayers Strategic use of fund balance

Maintain current programming Prioritize instructional training

Fund CRMS/CRES capital repairs/reserves Keep technology equipment current

Keep staffing levels appropriate while addressing critical needs

Pay close attention to historical expense date

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2016-17 Increase/(Decrease to taxpayers) 2016-2017 Budget

$

%

Increase in expenses 230,195 1.79

Increase in revenues (149,797) 11.24

Increase to taxpayers Total 80,398 .68

Increase Camden 36,324 .55

Increase Rockport 44,074 .83

80,398 .68

Revenue Sources Outside of General Fund Budget

Walter Bisbee Trust Fund $ 90,000 Boosters – estimate $ 500

Budget Information can be found on our website www.fivetowns.net Budget Meeting – May 24th, Strom 6-7p.m.

Vote – June 14th 13

District Office 7 Lions Lane, Camden, ME 04843

(207)236-3358 www.fivetowns.net

MSAD #28 SCHOOL BOARD Matt Dailey, Chair, Camden

Kristin Collins, Vice Chair, Camden Lynda Chilton, Camden

Marcia Dietrich, Rockport John Lewis, Camden Tori Manzi, Camden

Gretchen Richards, Rockport Faith Vautour, Rockport

Camden-Rockport Middle School 34 Knowlton Street, Camden ME 04843

(207)236-7805

Camden-Rockport Elementary School 11 Children’s Way, Rockport ME 04856

(207)236-7809

MSAD #28 ADMINISTRATION Maria Libby, Superintendent

Gary Gonyar, Assistant Superintendent Cathy Murphy, Business Manager

Jaime Stone, CRMS Principal Matt Smith, CRMS Assistant Principal

Janet Anderson, CRES Principal Shawna Kurr, CRES Assistant Principal

Valerie Mattes, Director of Student Special Services Keith Rose, Director of Operations & Maintenance

Julie Waters, Director of Transportation