FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 is moving forward with a districtwide literacy strategy and preparing for future technology upgrades, including artificial intelligence integration, following updates shared during the May 13 board of directors meeting.

Superintendent Christian Elkington announced that RSU 9, which serves Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vinyeard, Starks, Vienna, Weld and Wilton, had been awarded approximately $46,500 in summer programming funds through the Maine Department of Education’s Title I Summer Reallocated Grant. The district had requested $51,000.

“They had more requests than usual, and they figured out how to do, like, 90% of each district. That was pretty good of them,” Elkington said. Assistant Superintendent Monique Poulin confirmed the awarded amount and noted the funds will help support the district’s summer programs.

A major portion of the meeting focused on the district’s new Literacy Purpose Statement and the adoption of a systemic instructional approach beginning with kindergarten and first grade in the 2025-26 school year.

“With literacy that is one of the things that has not happened in this district,” Elkington said. “What I mean by systemic is that across all K-1 grade levels, in this next year we would be using many of the same strategies. Obviously, you adjust for students with specialized needs, but a systemic approach across the board, anything will work if you do it systemically.”

The plan includes expanding the approach to grade 2 in 2026-27. “That does not mean some schools may not move more quickly in Grade 2,” he said, “but that will be the focus.”

Elkington stressed that participation would be consistent across the district. “Sometimes in large organizations, if you push enough you may not have to participate,” he said. “But we will be working together and we will be participating together across schools and across classrooms with the approaches that we have reviewed and put into practice this year.”

He described the model as rooted in a multi-tiered system of support, allowing teachers to adjust strategies based on student needs. “The model and structures in place help facilitate teacher reflection, it is not just a package program,” he said.

Jennifer Ladd, RSU 9’s literacy coordinator, added that the purpose statement is designed to unify staff around shared instructional goals. “While general in nature, it does start to give us a common understanding and a foundation from which to work,” Ladd said.

She said she is also developing a more detailed companion document aimed at educators. “It has more instructional language in it,” she said. “It is definitely clearer on what the approaches look like. So that will be coming soon, as soon as it’s finished.”

During the “good news” portion of the meeting, Elkington thanked parent groups, administrators, and staff for making Staff Appreciation Week memorable. “I want to thank the district office staff who made whoopie pies instead of purchasing them,” he said. “I have never seen so many ‘thank-you’s come to the district office. They were delicious. That pumpkin whoopie pie, I am still thinking about it.”

In his broader superintendent’s report, Elkington noted that unspent funds in the 2024-25 First 10 budget application would result in an increased adjustment for the 2025-26 budget year. “We will be adjusting that,” he said. “The board did not vote on a specific number, so I don’t think we need to bring it back to the board. But I just want you to know it will increase.” First 10 in Maine is a community school model that supports children from prenatal through age 10 and their families to help all children learn and thrive.

Looking ahead, Elkington also acknowledged a recent White House directive prioritizing artificial intelligence in schools. “It seems to be moving pretty quickly, the different kinds of AI opportunities,” he said. “We have jumped in, and we have to go in with two hands and two feet with AI.” He said this initiative would become part of a 10-year technology plan to be reviewed by the board next year.

Board members also recognized the contributions of student representatives who are graduating this spring. Chair Dee Dorothy Robinson offered her thanks and wished them well.