Playground access, safety issues debated in Lubec

At the August 6 Lubec school board meeting, board members heard public concerns about community playground access during school hours. About a dozen residents attended to discuss whether the school or the community that built it has authority over the playground.

After extensive debate, the board voted to appoint two school board members, Chair Tricia McCurdy and board member Jane Lanctot, to meet with the playground committee to iron out a compromise and make recommendations for the board.

Superintendent MaryEllen Day shared legal documents and a town map demonstrating the playground is on school property. She also confirmed that the school is liable for the insurance.

"I just want to be clear -- it [the playground] is on our property, and we're responsible for it," said Day, adding that she spoke with "two other superintendents and they do not allow anyone on their school property during school time."

Lubec resident Sandra Teran, who on June 9 was told to leave the playground by school staff, said, "The issue is whether MSAD 19 possesses independent authority to regulate public access to a community playground that has historically been created, maintained, managed outside the district's governance."

She requested four items from the board: the governing documents showing MSAD 19's authority over the playground; a formal review of their authority, with findings made public; removal of the MSAD rules from the playground and for MSAD to document limits of its authority, if no lawful authority exists; and guidance and training to staff on limits to their authority relative to public accessibility to the playground.

The last rule of the MSAD playground rules sign and main source of contention says, "Playground is open to the public only when school is not in session." Teran suggested the board found out the origin of the sign from meeting minutes.

Day defended the sign saying, "We're simply saying that, during school hours, that is on school property folks, and I saw a lot of comments on Facebook posts that were saying we don't want strangers on our school property during school hours."

Several attendees expressed support for the playground to remain a community asset and recognized there is no other outlet, while also understanding that 27 years later "we live in a different world now. We live in a very, very different world," said an attendee.

Day and others concurred that children's safety is the first priority and that it is a liability having strangers walking on school property.

Lubec resident Wayne Carreiro suggested the school use the playground during school hours, and in return, "they contribute financially to the playground committee for wear and tear and upkeep of the playground."

Questions raised on adding students, buses

During the public comment period, select board member Daniel Daley asked about school closings in other towns specifically where the children are going and if Lubec can take on more students as "an option to help offset our expenses."

Describing the process, Day said that when a school closes, the board is required to bus the elementary students to another school. Parents can choose a different school but have to supply transportation. The Lubec school was built for hundreds of students.

Many voiced skepticism that students would want to come to Lubec because people think it is too far away. Daley noted that school enrollment across the area may continue to decline. Board member Wanda Reed suggested a regional school.

With a new bus run adding miles to the fleet of three buses, the board discussed purchasing a bus or van now or waiting until later. Short buses cost nearly as much as full size ones, with the price of a white van around $60,000 a couple years ago. School buses qualify for state replacement in 10 years once they have traveled 125,000 miles. Private vehicles aren't allowed for transporting students. No action was taken by the board.

Other business

In other business, Principal Tina Wormell reported that peewee uniforms, purchased by Roosevelt Campobello International Park for nearly $3,000, have arrived. She reported on other actions, including work on a crisis response plan with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to be shared at the October meeting. The school recently passed fire‑related and security inspections. She also thanked the custodians for their work.

Day appointed Dawn McClaughlin as ESEA Title funds coordinator and Michael Lehman to be the peewee boys basketball coach.

The board voted to hire Olivia Fiore Carpenter, contingent on her certification, as a K‑8 physical education teacher three days a week. She has been working as a substitute. This position has been unfilled for years.

The board approved the bids for 20262027 heating fuel and propane from RH Foster, trash removal from NoSo and bus repair in Pembroke.