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RSU 21 Community News 3-14-25

RSU 21 Community News 3-14-25

Message from the Superintendent

Dear RSU 21 Community,


As many of you have heard by now, earlier this week, I announced that I will be stepping down as RSU 21 superintendent later this year. It is bittersweet to be leaving this district, and I am deeply proud of the work that has been done since I arrived at the height of the pandemic in 2020. I hope to connect with as many of you as I can before the school year wraps up in June, and I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition by working closely with the school board and leadership team in the coming months.


In the meantime, the district's finance department has been working hard to prepare the upcoming budget for its first read on Monday. The proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, which totals $62,567,439, strategically prioritizes three critical areas: workforce development, student needs, and infrastructure enhancement.


In the current economic climate, it is imperative that we allocate resources to:


  • Ensure competitive compensation and benefits packages for our staff
  • Maintain appropriate staffing levels to meet our evolving student population needs
  • Properly maintain and improve our facilities to accommodate continued student growth


This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining the high standards of education our community expects. Each line item has been carefully reviewed to ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds while still meeting the diverse needs of our student population. The budget development process included a thorough analysis of enrollment trends, staffing requirements, curriculum needs, and facility maintenance priorities.


You can review the budget ahead of Monday's meeting by clicking here. Please bring your questions and mark your calendars with the important dates listed below.


I hope you all have a relaxing and fulfilling weekend.


Much love,

Terri Cooper

What's Happening

Monday, March 17

Policy Committee | 12:45 p.m. (RESCHEDULED from 3/13)

School Board Meeting - Budget First Reading | 6:00 p.m.


Wednesday, March 19

Curriculum Committee | 3:30 p.m.


Friday, March 21

Human Resources Committee | 8:15 a.m.


Thursday, April 3

Facilities Committee | 8:15 a.m.

Policy Committee | 12:30 p.m.


Monday, April 7

School Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m.


Tuesday, April 8

Communications Committee | 1:00 p.m.


Thursday, April 3

Finance Committee | 8:30 a.m.


*All school board and committee meetings above will take place at KES/A102 unless otherwise indicated.


Full Calendar

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget - Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, March 17

First budget reading | 6:00 p.m.


Tuesday, March 25

Finance Committee budget review | 8:30 a.m.


Wednesday, March 26

Finance Committee budget review | 8:30 a.m.


Thursday, March 27

Finance Committee budget review | 4:30 p.m.


Thursday, April 3

Finance Committee budget review | 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.


Monday, April 7

School Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m.


Monday, April 14

Second budget reading | 6:00 p.m.


Monday, May 5

District budget meeting | 7:00 p.m. KES Gymnasium


Tuesday, June 10

Budget validation referendum

District News

Last weekend, the One Act theater group competed against 10 other schools at the Maine Regional Drama Festival at Thornton Academy. They received a Silver Award and runner-up and took home several special commendations:


Grey Harden (Costuming)

Gracie Mitchell (Student Directing)

Juliet Rice and Avery Rossics (All-Festival Cast Awards)


Congratulations to the cast and crew on their hard work and spectacular performance!

MSK Film Club visits Channel 8 WMTW

On Wednesday, the brand-new MSK Film Club got a behind-the-scenes look at Channel 8 WMTW!

The students saw all the work that goes into producing a newscast and learned about the several roles involved in the production.

They also interacted with the green screen to see how meteorologists use "TV magic" to show the weather each day.

The MSK Film Club was made possible by a generous grant from the Educational Foundation of the Kennebunks and Arundel (EFKA).


Please consider donating today to support programs like this and other initiatives across the district!

New video: Unified Basketball

New this week: A recap video of KHS Unified Basketball 2025!

KHS Unified Basketball 2025

Summer Boost 2025

Summer Boost recommendations will be going out soon!


When: July 7 - July 31, 2025, Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where: Kennebunk Elementary School


Summer Boost (K-8)

This opportunity is a free learning experience for students identified by RSU 21 and is taught by certified staff, with a focus on Literacy and Math.


Summer Credit Recovery (9-12)

This opportunity is a free learning experience for students who need to recover credit(s) and is taught and guided by RSU21 certified staff.


Snacks will be provided to every student. Transportation will be provided upon request.

Photo: Families and staff celebrate the end of Summer Boost 2024 last August.

Recent News

RSU 21 Communications Video Library

You can now watch all videos produced by the RSU 21 Communications Department in the 2024-2025 school year by clicking here!

KHS Student Teacher Assistants
MSK's "Redcoats and Revolutions"

Pre-K Registration is Open!

Registration for Pre-K in RSU 21 is open for fall 2025.


To learn about RSU 21’s high-quality pre-kindergarten program, please join us for a virtual Open House on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.


Those interested can join by phone or Google Meet:

Google Meet link

Phone: (‪US‬)‪ +1 513-783-1488‬

PIN: ‪997 792 587#‬

RSU 21 runs a play-based program for 4- and 5-year-olds, focusing on personal & social development, creative arts, early language & literacy, physical education, math, science, and social studies. All of this early learning helps children thrive at a critical time in their young lives.


For a look at a typical pre-K day for RSU 21 students, this video shows what to expect when arriving at KES–story time, outdoor play, a family-style lunch, and lots of learning through movement, music, and play! Healthy breakfasts and lunches are available to students through RSU 21 and transportation on school buses is an option for kids living in any of the district’s three towns.

Community Announcements

RSU 21 Athletics

Spring Schedules

GO RAMS!

Weekly Attendance

Helpful Links

Community Resources

1-844-5-SAY-NOW

24/7 Hotline

Maine Crisis Hotline

Click Here

Call or Text 988 or 1-888-568-1112

General Assistance Support

Kennebunk

Tabetha Barden

207-604-1394


Arundel

Wendy Lank

207-985-4201 ext. 113


Kennebunkport

Alison Kenneway

207-967-4401


Kennebunk Chamber of Commerce

Laura Dolce

207-967-0857

RSU 21
www.rsu21.net

177 Alewive Road

Kennebunk, ME 04043

207-985-1100