What to know as the start of school approaches Aug. 27

Dorothy Swan, pictured, of West Bethel and Jackie Hart, of Bethel, scrub, strip, and wax all of the floors in Telstar High/Middle School in Bethel. They’ll move back all the furniture and have the entire school completed before the students return for the first day of school on Aug. 27. (Rose Lincoln/Staff Writer)

BETHEL — At Maine School Administrative District 44 schools, staff and administrators are preparing for the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 27. And the last day of school, too. That will be June 12, 2026. Graduation for the class of 2026 will be June 5.

Holiday and vacation days are: Sept. 1; Oct. 13; Nov. 11; Nov. 27 and 28; Dec. 22-Jan. 2; Jan. 19; Feb. 16 to 20; April 20 to 24; and May 25.

The school calendar with more information is at the MSAD 44 website.

Back-to-School Events and Updates

Open House Schedule

Telstar Middle and High Schools
Aug. 25, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Crescent Park Elementary School
Aug. 25, 4:30-6 p.m.
Woodstock Elementary School
Sept. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Orientation

Telstar Middle School – Grade 6 Orientation
Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to noon

Teacher Workshops

Aug. 25 and 26

MSAD 44 Superintendent of Schools Mark Kenney shared that numerous building and grounds projects are underway this summer in preparation for the new school year. He also noted that bus routes and times will be available before school starts.

Staffing updates

Kenney reported that staffing levels for this year are better than in years past. The district is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for the final four unfilled positions:

• Elementary music teacher

• Special education director

• Teaching principal – Woodstock Elementary School

• Food service – Woodstock Elementary School

Additionally, there is a stronger push to fill open coaching positions for the upcoming fall season, as high school preseason began Aug. 18.

New hires

• Terry Childs, director of Adult and Community Education, MSAD 44. Salary: $63,000 for Fiscal Year 2026, and $65,205 for FY 2027.

• Corrie St. Saviour, sixth grade math teacher, Telstar Middle School.

• Jillian Burrill, athletic trainer, Telstar Middle and High Schools.

• Ross Chicoine, half-time IEP coordinator (districtwide) and halftime special education teacher at Telstar Middle School.

• Danielle Thibodeau, special education teacher, Crescent Park School, was appointed to a first-year probationary contract.

Board of directors schedule

The MSAD 44 board of directors meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Telstar Library. All meetings are open to the public.

2025-26 meeting dates:

• Aug. 18, 2025

• Sep. 15, 2025

• Oct. 20, 2025

• Nov. 17, 2025

• Dec. 15, 2025

• Jan. 12, 2026

• Feb. 9, 2026

• March 16, 2026

• April 13, 2026

• May 4, 2026

• May 27, 2026 (budget referendum meeting)

• June 15, 2026

At the final meeting of the 2024-25 school year in June, Superintendent Kenney expressed appreciation for outgoing board members David Bartlett and Marcy Winslow.

The new board welcomes:

• Melinda Swayne of Woodstock

• Jarrett Connors, of Newry, who will serve the remainder of Bartlett’s term.

Dorothy Swan, left, of West Bethel and Jackie Hart, of Bethel, scrub, strip, and wax all of the floors in Telstar High/Middle School in Bethel, Maine. They’ll move back all the furniture and have the entire school completed before the students return for the first day of school on Aug. 27. (Rose Lincoln/Staff Writer)

The first MSAD 44 school board meeting for 2025-26 school year will be held on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Telstar Library.

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