BRUNSWICK

From school repairs to standardized testing, Brunswick School Superintendent Paul Perzanoski on New Year’s Eve offered his top 10 predictions for 2015:

1. “I predict funds will be secured to repair Coffin Elementary and Brunswick Junior High schools.”

Perzanoski said PDT Architects will present a cost estimate during the school board’s Jan. 14 meeting. Earlier estimates by PDT showed repairs to Coffin costing around $1.9 million, and junior high repairs costing about $3.2 million. Both aging schools may require roof and structural enhancements, as well as abatement of PCBs. Also during the Jan. 14 meeting, there will be a discussion about razing the now-vacant and defunct Jordan Acres School.

2. “Maine state standards based on the common core and proficiency diploma legislation will be significantly revised.”

Several states have pulled out of common core programs, said Perzanoski. Maine may revise its own common core statute that was passed in 2010.

“There has been some discussion in Maine whether or not legislation will be brought foward to do that, or just to revise what’s on the current books now,” he said.

3. “Legislation that funds charter schools in Maine will be revised.”

Perzanoski wants to see the state Legislature take another crack at a bill he said will spread out the financial burden incurred by school districts paying to send students to nearby charter schools, such as Harpswell Coastal Academy. Brunswick School District pays about a half-million dollars in charter school tuition, and that cost may rise. Perzanoski said legislation could result in “significant savings” for school districts in communities contiguous to charter schools.

4. “New program options will provide solutions to current school department issues, and also provide creative opportunities for families and students.”

A superintendent’s advisory committee began in August looking at new program options, based on Perzanoski’s proposal to develop a school choice program at the former Hawthorne School.

“When families have choices in education, they tend to be more invested,” Perzanoski said.

5. “The school board will begin a strategic planning initiative centered on student achievement.”

The board has discussed, since 2008, formulating a long-range, strategic plan involving the community. That would include longterm and short-term goals that would improve students’ achievement.

6. “Brunswick High School athletic teams will win two state championships.”

Brunswick’s football team had a good year in 2014, but Perzanoski said he wasn’t sure which athletic team would go on to glory. “It’s just a gut feeling,” he said.

7. “District music and arts departments will win awards for excellence.”

Perzanoski noted arts and music programs have received a lot of positive community feedback recently.

“We’ve been getting awards of late, and I expect that will continue,” he said. “All programs in that area are growing.”

8. “A new teacher-principal evaluation program will be completed and piloted.”

In the three years the district has been developing the program, state legislation has changed, “adding different wrinkles,” said Perzanoski, and ultimately approving three different evaluation plans, one of which the district has adopted.

9. “Discussions on a fullday regional technical center will be held.”

Brunswick is already home to Region 10 Technical High School that accepts students from Brunswick on a part-time basis, in addition to students from SAD 75 and RSU 5. A full-day program would incorporate “a couple of other districts,” Perzanoski said.

It’s a concept that’s been discussed between the district and the state education commissioner, he said.

10. “Commissioner Jim Rier will get well and return to work.”

Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier, of Topsham, was placed on indefinite medical leave in November. The Bangor Daily News at the time reported that the state did not provide details about Rier’s condition, but that his absence was expected to be temporary.

Perzanoski acknowledged, however, a Dec. 29 announcement that Gov. Paul LePage appointed a new acting commissioner.

“(Tom) Desjardin replaces former Commissioner James Rier, who is on extended medical leave and may return to the department in 2015,” LePage’s office wrote in a press release. “Commissioner Rier is recovering at home in Topsham and is in good spirits. He may return to the department next year as deputy commissioner at his discretion.”

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com