The Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District (CSD) Board of Trustees elected officers at its Wednesday, June 7 meeting. Chris Buchanan was relected chairman, Steve Lorrain will be vice chairman, and Ronnie Campbell was named treasurer. Ashleeann Lowery has replaced Tyler Hodgdon, who resigned earlier this year.

The trustees voted to enter into a tuition agreement with Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12, for students from Westport Island and Alna choosing to attend Edgecomb or Boothbay schools. RSU 12 will provide transportation to Edgecomb, while Boothbay students will be transported via the regular Edgecomb middle/high school bus run. Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Eileen King also announced that Edgecomb Eddy has just entered into a contract with Alna for parents of students interested in entering their child into the new Pre-K program.

Merritt Blakeslee asked the board for permission to use one of the Boothbay Region High School's tennis courts as a pickle ball court during the summer. The court would still be used for tennis, but new lines would be needed for pickle ball. Blakeslee showed trustees a roll of colored tape to be used for this purpose. Town Manager Tom Woodin told Blakeslee he expects the pickle ball and basketball courts, scheduled to be built near Emery Street, would be ready sometime in the fall.

Trustees were wary of granting permission for reasons including possible discoloration or residue damage and potential school liability for any incurred damages.

Blakeslee promised that pickle ballers would remove any residue left on the court if advised to do so by CSD Facilities and Transportation Director David Benner. Blakeslee said he thought the school's insurance policy would cover damage to the court.

When asked by trustees how he felt about the request, Benner said, “I'm okay with it. It's school property, but they took time to research it.” King, still concerned about liability, advised caution.

The trustees asked Blakeslee to put a two-foot piece of tape down on the tennis court surface for a short period of time to let the school determine what, if any, effect the tape has on the tennis court. Blakeslee told trustees that this would be done following his exit from the meeting.

During the educational presentation, Mark Gorey, BRHS English instructor, showed two short videos, one by Summer Chamberlin and the other by Lillian Sherburne. Both will be seniors in the fall, and both participated in Gorey's Champions for Change project.

Chamberlain's video, entitled “Title IX Compliance” reported on conditions the BRHS girls soccer team faces when practicing and playing at Clifford Field. Issues include a lack of school transportation to the field, as well as less-than-desirable bathroom and changing conditions. According to Chamberlin, the girls soccer team is the only sports team at the school forced to play under these conditions. “The law (Title IX) has been broken down into three components, including participation, scholarships, and benefits and opportunities,” Chamberlin narrated. She said the benefits component, which calls for equal facility quality and access, was being “disobeyed.” https://vimeo.com/album/4617939/video/220482322

Neither Chamberlin nor Sherburne was able to attend the meeting. BRHS girls soccer coach Ben Powell was present to field any discussion regarding Chamberlin's concerns. He said, “Clifford Field is terrible, but that's not the school's fault. It's a public field and it isn't watered on a regular basis. There are holes and divots and a big slope over to the side.” But Powell said he wasn't sure Chamberlin's issues were Title IX-related. King stated that BRHS didn't have the field space. “Middle school boys and girls also played up there. That was the soccer field for boys and girls.”

During the 2017-2018 season, all girls soccer home games will be held at the school, Powell said, while practices will be held at Clifford Field. Regarding transportation, Powell mentioned that one year a bus was provided, but few girls used it. “Most of them ride with friends,” Powell said. He praised Chamberlin's video, saying, “I'm happy with the compromise we've come up with. I think Summer drove that. It's great that she brought it to our attention.”

Sherburne’s video, “Water Safety Policy vs. Practice,” began by questioning water quality in both Boothbay region schools. Sherburne's research led to the discovery of lead over safety-standard levels in five places throughout BRHS and Boothbay Region Elementary School.

Her concerns led to several rounds of testing for all school water sources, as well as the shutting down of all drinkable and cooking water fixtures: https://vimeo.com/album/4617939/video/220646723. Sherburne said the only way to insure future safety was to establish policies regarding water testing. “The safety of the students, faculty, and visitors alike should always come first, even if it means taking the time to create a policy to do this,” she narrated. Policies are being established.

“They're the next generation of the board of trustees,” said trustee Lowery about the students.

Benner gave his report next, including an update on the water situation and a timeline for extensive summer clean up within and around the schools.

The trustees authorized King and the board treasurer to “secure a short-term bank loan not to exceed $400,000 if necessary.” This loan would be procured only under emergency conditions, explained King. “This has never happened,” she said.

The trustees meet next on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 5:15 p.m., in the BRHS library.