The Calais middle and high schools will soon be under new leadership due to the resignation of Principal Matt Clark, effective August 14. An administrator for the Calais schools for nine years, Clark has opted to take a position as assistant principal at Ellsworth High School. His resignation was tendered to the school committee meeting on August 4.
"I have been blessed to work with great students and staff over the last nine years, and my life has truly been enriched because of all of you," Clark stated.
     The school committee is actively interviewing candidates for the position of principal for the rapidly approaching school year while the search for a superintendent also remains ongoing. Other personnel changes were also addressed, including the resignation of ed tech IIIs Darcey Gillespie and Heather James from Calais Day Treatment and Calais Elementary, respectively. Recreation Director Craig Morrison was nominated and approved for the position of soccer coach, a role he was highly acclaimed for by interim Superintendent Ray Freve.
     Freve provided the committee with information regarding tuition rates in area schools in response to a Robbinston resident's statement that Calais schools are among the most expensive in the state. According to figures from the Department of Education, Calais Elementary School costs $6,799 per pupil while Robbinston costs $8,406, Perry costs $6,741 and Eastport costs $7,312.
     Freve also gave a brief summary on the numerous federal educational bills that have recently passed. School administrators can now extend up to 25 days by an hour to make up snow days. All schools have new requirements for conducting emergency drills, including lockdowns, shutdowns and fire drills. In addition, teachers now have expanded reporting capacity when child abuse is suspected. Teachers can report the suspected abuse to agencies directly rather than issuing a report to the school principal.

Proficiency based learning suggestions adopted
     The committee extensively discussed the adoption of the proficiency based learning standards compiled by Calais teachers during a summer workshop. Calais has delayed adopting the standards but is required to do so to meet state educational requirements.
     Chairman Bob Greenlaw voiced his opposition to the proficiency based standards on the grounds that it could negatively impact trade students and potentially create other problems. The proposal suggests creating two separate diplomas, one that meets existing standards and one for advanced academic students. Government teacher and spokesperson for the proposal Stephanie Griffin said that the aim is to provide greater flexibility to students while still adhering to state requirements. She emphasized that both diplomas would be equally accepted as valid indicators of educational attainment.
     Committee member Dale Earle pointed out that one of the recently passed federal educational bills requires states to inform students and their parents that pupils are not required to take state proficiency exams and no penalty can result due to not participating. Griffin acknowledged that there are few proponents for proficiency based learning, but that it would be wise to proactively implement adherence to the state standards in the event that they are not repealed. Earle suggested that the board accept the proposal as written with the condition that it can be amended later.
     The committee voted three in favor of adopting the proposal with Chairman Greenlaw voting against.
     The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 1.