Superintendent Gendron discusses future of AOS
MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
An informational meeting was held at Central Aroostook High School on Thursday, Feb. 16, about the upcoming vote to take place on Monday, March 19, about the dissolution of the AOS.
MARK GENDRON, 
AOS 99 superintendent, spoke at the informational meeting held on Feb. 16 in Mars Hill. He explained about the vote to dissolve the AOS to take place on March 19.
AOS (Alternative Organization Structure) 99 Superintendent Marc Gendron spoke of the history and formation of the AOS and the reasons that the three districts involved are planning on going back to the way each school was organized prior to July 1, 2009.
The AOS was established to provide services with respect to system administration, transportation administration, special education administration and administration of business functions such as accounting, reporting, payroll, financial management, purchasing, insurance and auditing.
Member school units have been sharing the costs of the AOS central office budget on the basis of proportion to the average of the previous three years’ October student enrollment.
Cost savings during the AOS’s time have been primarily due to the roughly $350,000 in penalties that were avoided by consolidation, indicated Gendron. As of July 1, 2012, the “penalties” for non-consolidated districts will no longer exist.
By Dec. 13, 2011, the school boards of SAD 42, SAD 20 and the Bridgewater School Department all had voted to dissolve the two-year-old AOS 99 as of June 30, 2012. All votes were taken with the full support of Gendron and Assistant Superintendent Roger Shaw.
All AOS administrative and personnel contracts will expire on June 30, and staffing decisions for the individual school districts will be at the discretion of the individual local school boards.
The three school districts will return to a similar organizational structure for administrative services that they had in 2009-2010. All school boards will hire or contract a superintendent who will be responsible for the ongoing administration of the school unit and for ensuring that the operation of the schools conforms to policies and rules as adopted by the school board and to state laws and rules, said Gendron. All of the former AOS 99 districts will also employ/contract a director of special education, whose job it will be to oversee the district’s responsibility to provide early intervention or free, appropriate public education services to children with disabilities and comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, and all federal regulations adopted under the Act.
Gendron said all real and personal property belonging to member school units shall remain the property of those member school units. All real or personal property acquired for the operation of the AOS central office will be distributed to the member school units in proportion to the average over the three first preceding fiscal years of their respective contributions to the AOS budget under the AOS cost-sharing method.
All personal records and contracts of the AOS will be stored at SAD 20 and shall be available, within reasonable notice, to SAD 42 and the Bridgewater School Department. All other AOS records will be stored at SAD 20 for a period of seven years, he said.
According to Gendron, during the duration of the AOS, the districts have benefited by sharing experiences and resources. While this must continue, he said each district school board has come to recognize that district leadership that is on-site, available and focused on the unique issues and challenges of each local school system is ultimately best for the students of that district.
Gendron, Shaw and other members of the AOS school board answered questions from the audience.
The Grade 3-4 Jade Team
THE GRADE 3-4 JADE TEAM at the Mars Hill and Blaine Recreation program are, in front from the left: Libby Grass, Ben Delong and Gage Willette. In the middle row are: Owen Nicholson, Hayden Kingsbury, Breanne Bradbury and Zaylan Johnston. In the back is Coach Nicholson.
Adult Education
The SAD 42 Spring Adult Ed classes will be starting on Monday, Feb 27, and run through Thursday, April 12. The following classes are being offered: Quilting — Instructor Patsy Glidden; Woodworking — Instructor TBA; Cardio Kick Aerobics — Instructor Marilyn Burtt; “Upcycled,” Turning Trash Into Treasures — Instructors Jamie Guerrette and Sarah Alexander; and Scrapbooking — Instructor Denise Carter.
Please contact Kathy Miller at 425-3771 to register or for more information. Some classes are limited in size, so please register early.
United Methodist Women
On Feb. 13, the United Methodist Women of Mars Hill met at noon in the church vestry with eight members attending.
The first hour was spent enjoying lunch. Coffee, tea, chips and Valentine candy were provided by the co-hostesses. Co-hostess Ruth Sylvester made a delicious lemon-pineapple cake for dessert.
President Donna Brewer opened the business meeting by leading all in the Purpose Pledge and Prayer. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were read and approved as read. Correspondence was read by Diane Ketchum, treasurer.
There was much discussion on the upcoming food sale in March in connection with the Winterfest. Temporary plans were made.
The ongoing Mission project — the Cookbook — was discussed. To date, the cookbooks are selling fast.
President Donna announced there would be a “retreat” arranged by the Houlton UMW. Anyone interested could sign up. She then turned the meeting over to Program Chairperson Diane Ketchum.
The program was on “Pledge Budget.” After much discussion, a few changes were made on the copies of the 2012 proposed budget that was given to each member. Envelopes were available for collecting each member’s monetary pledge. Diane then presented a very inspiring reading by Helen Seiner Rice.
After the benediction, the meeting was adjourned. Members attending were: Donna Brewer, Ruth Sylvester, Diane Ketchum, Joan Walsh, Marie Hewitt, Freida Dionne, Eldora Carter and Clara Hussey.
Italian celebration
Photos courtesy of Tomi Henderson
Enjoying their Italian ice dessert on Italian Day at CAHS are, on the left: Katelyn York, Isabelle Cadet and Karli Levesque. On the right are: Kellie Stitham, Natasha Klinger and Mollie Garrison.
The SAD 42 School Nutrition Committee hosted an Italian celebration at the Central Aroostook Junior/Senior High School on Feb. 9, during the lunch periods. The members of the committee wore black and white and served freshly-grated parmesan and hot bread sticks. Participants were served marinara over whole-wheat rotini, Italian meatballs or chicken parmigiana, garden fresh salad and milk. The dessert was cold and refreshing Italian ice.
TASTES OF ITALY — 
Enjoying Italian Day at CAHS are, from the left: Kellie Stitham, Jillian Young, Shannon Todd, Whitney Peavey and Victoria McIntyre.
Many of the students wore red, green and white — the colors of Italy’s flag. An Italian flag was hung, a PowerPoint presentation was featured displaying actual photos taken in Italy and Italian music was played. The tables and room were decorated to create an Italian cafe atmosphere!
Enjoying Italian Day dessert at CAHS are, on the left: Emily Durost, Haley Rusby and Jadeyn Giberson. On the right are: Sierra Shaw, Kelsey Dominique and Sarah Gerritsen.
The dinner was put on by the SAD 42 Nutrition Committee which includes: Roger Shaw, assistant superintendent of schools; Sylvia Pineau, food service director; Erica Shaw McCrum, CHES school and youth coordinator for Healthy Aroostook; Sue Findlen, RN, school nurse; parents and representatives from local agencies.
The goal of the school Nutrition Committee is to improve all the nutrition that the students receive at school, i.e. school lunch program, vending machines and classroom parties.
AHC events
Upcoming events for the week of Feb. 22-28 at the Aroostook Health Center in Mars Hill include: Wednesday — the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Wii Bowling for Staff and Residents at 9 a.m., and Crosswords Puzzles at 1:30 p.m.; Thursday has the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. and the United Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 24, will have Five Card Bingo at 9:30 p.m. and Crossword Puzzles at 1:30 p.m.; Saturday has Bingo with Velma at 9:30 p.m.; Sunday will feature the Mennonite hymn sing at 6:30 p.m.; Monday and will feature Coffee Chat at 9:30 a.m., Karaoke with Larry at 1:30 p.m. and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 28, will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., and Card Games at 1:30 p.m. All of these activities are subject to change. If you would like to volunteer to help with any of these activities, contact Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater and Westfield. She can be reached at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
