[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6099219,"mediaKeyId","2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4","parentId",2820595,"title","Board discusses redistricting options, including moving sixth grade and offering seats at nearby schools","audioSeconds",1466,"startMs",2703000,"endMs",4169000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4&start=2703&end=4169","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4/thumbnail_2703000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099219/Maine/Board-discusses-redistricting-options-including-moving-sixth-grade-and-offering-seats-at-nearby-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099219-3341e5e2dd13f341134aee4fdf65a341/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824989&Signature=P4-VkjzC7FR-VW-RIkmkjv8~u6yFqW8Mr0PnfIEpThhEm0qftXehBK3mhqxHW1Duz5YV3cZfgv1PO5xM6NBtPPpX5LwbBcVmaE7Q4DEHT8Fz4j~ZeIjXICr8ylsvR-XrCVTeTEL6Ei6Lad8D25Y7OHeLh0Z4W-KILDQHmHki5p6cpr8q7-o5NK8OcUuwn3hOta6cYTsOiRv3Ehd5Iu-LHHZJAmSyALQsvE5qunsoLc5skLxknRsEOkW6cEywZ7uYwrHjIhe5w652pL3HnL4PUCiJJgdGyiVGboTnTsAh6-vxC2VARIB5ltFG70e4jWke-GsY9srwgJykvnC6zZt9OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 40/MSAD 40","date","2025-03-30T03:59:31.447Z","article","The board reviewed preliminary redistricting maps and student-density data intended to address space pressure at the middle school and Miller School. Staff presented two maps showing town boundaries, school locations, and bus-route overlays and highlighted targeted areas where some students live closer to a different school than the one they currently attend.

Staff identified a group of roughly 30 students who could be reassigned from Miller to nearby schools in two clusters: approximately 23 students in a northern cluster and about seven students in an eastern cluster, with a grade-level distribution provided for the 30-student group. The presenter cautioned that the map and data were a preliminary \"first cut\" and that additional, grade-level detail and family-level analysis would be required before any change.

Board members discussed several options: offering some families the option to enroll at Friendship (particularly younger children and those living along existing Friendship routes), using the Friendship building to accept a small number of students to improve class utilization, moving the entire sixth grade to the middle/high school campus to free classroom space at Miller, and modifying facility usage such as adding a modest addition to the old central office to house additional classrooms. One board member suggested phasing out certain principal-staff student agreements (described as approximately 11 current agreements) as students advance through grades so those slots would not be renewed.

Staff and trustees noted constraints and trade-offs: Friendship is a smaller building with limited spare capacity; moving cohorts can be disruptive and requires transportation adjustments; any plan would require family outreach and an opt-in or application process to offer seats at another school; and some space solutions might be short-term if overall enrollment trends change. A staff member noted the district’s enrollment has been relatively high recently (\"the highest this year where we have been in 15 years\"), suggesting demographic trends should inform long-term planning.

No final redistricting decision was made. Board members asked staff to refine the maps, prepare parent communications for potential voluntary transfers (particularly for pre-K and kindergarten families), analyze the transportation implications of proposed reassignments, and provide clearer enrollment projections and classroom counts to show how many classrooms would be gained or freed under each scenario.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Facilities Transportation Committee 03/20/25","oneSentenceSummary","Board members and staff examined preliminary redistricting maps and student data and discussed multiple options to relieve middle school crowding: targeted reassignments to nearby Friendship and Harmshoek schools, moving the entire sixth grade, repurposing the old central office for classrooms, and phasing out certain principal-staff agreements.","taxTitle","RSU 40/MSAD 40, School Districts, Maine","taxId",68150,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099224,"RSU 40 updates on bus driver hiring and replacement of state-funded routing software",695,1931000,2626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4&start=1931&end=2626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4/thumbnail_1931000.jpg","/articles/6099224/Maine/RSU-40-updates-on-bus-driver-hiring-and-replacement-of-state-funded-routing-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099224-bd9e3f301899aab00d6e77a3b2f2ab3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824989&Signature=E1nhvE1dNo~qAII4CJLvuvpRqtn2O3Tpkv7QKe47k4f5MibiL50ozW9q4eX6099OWw4sQcVXpeylrWwLfHloqjxHtX8a1KzpG-ldJgN5xAOmKOEuGnTUvF6GUQocQA8SHiiI44Li-DsjfZViboZtg~dgHh9uS9SCWmEYIjoiIPVaGEfuM~r47KAQBJVEIfcB9UJ5f8fGs655RgBEHS3NxTtoyUnP~fAj2ppoB~xoCdXPGfjTeJUwokCdaAm5wo3eoWXWHVv11aFrHPXcydWsIQXSJziIiZA9ArzOdNbKSRcZS81ZnvbJShBHI6kkEKJ2oZksn4fvVw~GiP10LTTABQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff provided an update on transportation staffing and software. Staff reported recent hires—a main custodian and a van driver—and said one mechanic (identified as Corey Davis) started recently. On bus drivers, staff said one candidate recently obtained a permit and another is scheduled to retest a failed section; staff estimated it will take roughly four to six weeks from permit issuance for a new candidate to obtain a commercial driver's license and be active on routes.

Staff also briefed the board that the state will stop paying for the district's Transfinder routing software at the end of the fiscal year, and that the district should prepare to procure a replacement. The packet discussed alternatives such as BusRide (used by about 40 districts in the state) and other modern routing and parent-notification systems. Staff said on-vehicle hardware and initial setup could total around $40,000 and that there are recurring licensing or service fees; some districts use third-party monitoring or a district-run approach for annual reporting obligations tied to route monitoring.

Staff demonstrated examples of features the district values: GPS tracking for live bus location, parent notification of delays, and tablet-based driver interfaces. Board members and staff discussed trade-offs between district-controlled access to tracking versus parental access and emphasized that the buildings/schools would monitor buses for daily operations.

No formal action was taken; staff requested authority to continue vendor demonstrations, collect quotes, and return with a procurement recommendation and cost breakout for board review.","Staff reported progress on filling bus driver and mechanic positions, outlined a 4–6 week estimate for newly permitted drivers to reach the road, and said the district must plan to replace the state-funded Transfinder routing system, with an estimated $40,000 outfitting cost for on-vehicle hardware and recurring software fees.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099230,"Board recommends policy committee review higher bid threshold, seeks up-to-$25,000 limit",207,1725000,1932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4&start=1725&end=1932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4/thumbnail_1725000.jpg","/articles/6099230/Maine/Board-recommends-policy-committee-review-higher-bid-threshold-seeks-up-to-25000-limit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099230-926961627131d978eec261b206ec5e36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824989&Signature=J5dYKD5zr2z23OMOVLADP5BN1h-RUD7cfWIAm3f~sr0Tgdvu4ygN1JkgboaMofoabl8buQoFFDr2WL-9yodEhK4NaTURWoObFEkcoazqnRwg0f9h6PZrzf6Xqhuoz3jtLRO~osSIHDXgFHx0M5uaJsvvBj-n2kpmQ-bWMByGj2nsAWx5-MgspOQ4HcHmE5syVxE1l1Ax3pCcxYQHg9JpZHnYZ0F-lsSGWbuYX62AGipukv~bdPNdAsbksbhLGmDP-HblWYGuWuRnWu9WNotPltmstu6NwBlBAenKH16YOMa4tDCgjhSluVdboefrwHaQtWZQ-bFbnn-rXZKBunkLYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District facilities staff asked the board to review the administrative bid limit used to trigger a formal procurement process, saying the existing $10,000 threshold no longer covers routine commercial purchases and increases workload for staff.

A staff presenter explained that inflation and higher vendor costs have made the $10,000 limit insufficient for many routine purchases and asked the board to consider raising the threshold to $20,000–$25,000 to reduce administrative burden and speed repairs. Board discussion emphasized a desire to retain vendor competition and oversight while reducing the number of small RFPs.

One board member made a motion that the policy committee review the district procurement policy and consider raising the bid threshold to as much as $25,000; another board member asked that the motion be clarified to read \"up to $25,000.\" The board then voted in favor of recommending the change to the policy committee; meeting minutes did not record individual roll-call votes or a numeric tally in the transcript excerpt.

The board chair and several trustees said they support the change as pragmatic given rising prices but confirmed the matter must go to the policy committee for formal review and a subsequent board vote on any policy amendments.

Next steps identified during the discussion: the policy committee will review the procurement policy and bring a recommended amendment or language back to the full board for adoption if members approve any change in the bid threshold.","District staff asked the board to raise the administrative bid threshold above $10,000 because rising costs make the current limit impractical; the board voted to recommend the policy committee consider raising the limit to up to $25,000.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099235,"RSU 40 reviews $6 million campus energy package including biomass plant and septic replacement",1554,104000,1658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4&start=104&end=1658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820595-343ee2d07632f7fa4d5768e3ed5251e4/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6099235/Maine/RSU-40-reviews-6-million-campus-energy-package-including-biomass-plant-and-septic-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099235-092f971c6b39cf5a9b52ac1800790cb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824989&Signature=OmRyJqxMUux8tP9~UnNY5FHqOUHNALDnqTJCV8Y6VDCaEx3a63NU8aUvVcGeiC5tUkzhkPmtr8tvUUluoa4cGnrPsztiee~cWu7ajgtDdepad8jf8n0ybt-gF~shtk55jVtywkp93fIFftPj7yCFgEfNhJHPJHxVgiaYGSlLrG8CmFv4zc5JgcC84JehNy3EoNenxnuhcCNhOlQivHYCmoJ5b8uIQU2vySuLc9CnYyU7p4awqU9DyeZfmBolxkSHV7f6mAjpz60DUHYep6SD0Qi1O8p13BC2MvLysJdV~5ZLmd4ydqaH-JEDwmVn1Zmm9NlK4luWI7fxULbn82lpfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A district presenter outlined a proposed FY26 capital package that would combine a central biomass boiler, a replacement septic system for the high school, and building control upgrades, saying the bundle is estimated at about $6,000,000 and would be funded through a municipal lease and available grants.

The presentation said Carrie Watts, of Energy Efficiency Investments, was working with the district on the projects and incentives. \"My name, Carrie Watts here from Energy Efficiency Investments,\" Watts told the board as she described the scope and incentives for the proposed work.

District staff described the plan as three main elements: a central biomass boiler sited near Miller Road to serve the high school and middle school with underground piping and propane backup for shoulder seasons; a replacement septic system for the high school (design submitted to the state and under review); and a phased conversion of pneumatic controls to direct-digital controls (DDC) beginning at Union Elementary. The presenter said an Efficiency Maine grant of about $300,000 is included in project estimates and that expected annual thermal incentive payments (described in the packet as roughly $14,000–$15,000) would flow to the district each year once the plant is operating.

Staff said energy savings from the biomass and the thermal-rack payments improve the cash flow for the larger project. The district also described smaller, short-duration projects planned for an April vacation window, including acoustic work at Miller, ceiling tile replacement at Crestlock, exterior lighting at several schools, localized insulation work, and classroom ventilation improvements that staff characterized as lower-cost, quick-turn items.

Presenters discussed financing terms in general: the project cost in the packet was shown as a $6,000,000 municipal lease with a 20-year term and an interest rate around 4.3 percent at the time of the presentation; staff said the district would shop for competitive rates and could refinance later if market rates improved. Staff also said the biomass option was attractive relative to replacing individual oil boilers because it would centralize maintenance, qualify for rebates, and provide renewable thermal credits and educational opportunities on the campus.

Board members asked for public-facing materials and a simple cost breakout showing upfront cost, grant dollars, estimated annual incentives, and the expected lease payment. Staff said they will prepare community documents and a budget breakout for future meetings and that the septic design had undergone an initial state review with no major issues.

No formal vote was taken on the FY26 package during the discussion; staff characterized the meeting as an informational briefing and asked permission to continue design, vendor outreach, and financing exploration.

The discussion concluded with staff noting next steps: finalize state permitting for the septic, finish detailed design for the biomass building and piping, solicit lease/financing quotes, and prepare a public information packet for board and community review.","District staff and an energy vendor outlined a FY26 capital package that would add a central biomass boiler, replace the high school septic system, and upgrade building controls; staff said an Efficiency Maine grant and ongoing thermal incentive payments improve the project economics.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board discusses redistricting options, including moving sixth grade and offering seats at nearby schools

RSU 40 updates on bus driver hiring and replacement of state-funded routing software

Board recommends policy committee review higher bid threshold, seeks up-to-$25,000 limit

RSU 40 reviews $6 million campus energy package including biomass plant and septic replacement