Public Information and Announcements

As I’m sure you know by now, MSAD 54 is well on its way toward having a new elementary school in 2025. The project, which began in 2017 with our application to the state, is progressing nicely along the state timeline for school construction. In July the State Board of education approved the Margaret Chase Smith School site as the site for our new school. Over the spring and into the start of the school year we’ve been working on educational specifications for the building and are entering the Concept Design phase of the process (see the chart).

I’m writing this evening to let you know that the district has had five additional cases of Covid-19 over the past three days; one case was at Bloomfield Elementary School, one case Skowhegan Area High School, and 3 cases at Mill Stream Elementary School. These new cases were again believed to be a result of contact that occurred outside of school.

Nursing staff worked over the weekend and through this evening to follow-up with all close contacts associated with these new positive cases. Individuals identified as needing to quarantine from school have been contacted directly. A total of 22 individuals were asked to quarantine as a result of these five positive cases. 

I’m writing this evening to let you know that the district was informed of seven additional cases of Covid-19 today; one case at Bloomfield Elementary School, one case at Mill Stream Elementary School, one case at North Elementary School, two cases at Skowhegan Area High School, and two cases at Skowhegan Area Middle School.

All but one of today’s cases were directly attributed to contact that occurred outside of school. One of the cases was not clearly linked to a case outside of school and therefore in this case the entire class was asked to quarantine as a result of the exposure. Nursing staff and administration worked throughout the day to determine that 19 students were close contacts, and therefore were required to quarantine from school. 

I’m writing this evening to let you know that the district was informed of three additional cases of COVID-19 today; one case was at Margaret Chase Smith School, one case at Skowhegan Area Middle School and one case at Bloomfield Elementary School. These new cases were again a result of contact that occurred outside of school.

Nursing staff and building administrators worked through the day to contact trace and follow-up with all close contacts associated with these new positive cases. Individuals identified as needing to quarantine from school have been contacted. A total of 5 individuals were asked to quarantine from school as a result of these three positive cases.

I’m writing this afternoon to let you know that the district was informed of four additional cases of COVID-19 today; one case at Bloomfield Elementary School, one case at Mill Stream Elementary School, one case at Skowhegan Area Middle School, and one case at Skowhegan Area High School. These four new cases were again a result of contact that occurred outside of school.

Nursing staff and administration worked throughout the day to determine close contacts. As a result of today’s cases 16 additional students have been asked to quarantine from school. At this time there is no recommendation that we close a school or take additional actions beyond those described above. 

First let me begin by reminding you that tomorrow is a scheduled early release day for staff and students. Dismissal is at 11:45.

COVID-19 continues to be a challenge in our community and in our schools. Today we saw 5 additional cases of COVID-19 in our schools with two of the cases being family members of prior cases that we had reported. One case was reported at Mill Stream Elementary School, two at Skowhegan Area Middle School, and Two at Skowhegan Area High School. None of these cases appear to have been a result of contact or spread in school.

As you know quarantine has had a significant impact on schools across the state. As a result of today’s cases 23 additional students have been asked to quarantine from school. At this time there is no recommendation that we close a school or take additional actions beyond those described above. In the words of one expert I spoke with, “When following the protocols, schools are one of the safest places kids can be.” We believe this strongly and will continue to reach out with new cases or additional information should anything change.

State Funded Elementary Building Project

Thursday September 30, 2021 
6:00pm @ Canaan Elementary School Gym
Public meeting on MSAD 54's Building Project and the impact to Canaan Elementary School
The goal of this public meeting is to inform and engage community stakeholders regarding MSAD 54's state funded building project and to answer questions about the impact the project will have on the Canaan Elementary School, including the removal of portables and adjustment of the building composition to a Pre-K through Grade 2 school.  

Thursday October 14, 2021 
6:00pm @ Skowhegan Area High School Auditorium
Public meeting on MSAD 54's Building Project with Architects Stephen Blatt and Doug Breer  

and

Thursday October 28, 2021 
6:00pm on Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/95720626359?pwd=TG1aYThNR3N4VFhjN2dURUZ2aEEydz09)
Public meeting on MSAD 54's Building Project with Architects Stephen Blatt and Doug Breer
The goal of these public meetings is to inform and engage stakeholders early in the design phase of the new state-funded elementary school project. This is an opportunity for members of the public to offer insight and ideas, and to identify community priorities. This public input and community involvement is essential to a successful, collaborative design process, and the creation of a wonderful new school facility.