August 14, 2024
Greetings RSU No. 67 families, staff, students, and communities!
As the page on the calendar has changed from July to August and as I write this welcome message, we are just two weeks away from the first day(s) of school (August 28 for Pre-K -9, and August 29 for all students). With that, I am very excited to welcome all our staff, students, and families to the 2024-2025 school year. I hope that you had an amazing summer and enjoyed all the incredible weather we had. For me, the start of a new school year always brings a renewed sense of hope and optimism. Working with students and families, we are collectively shaping the future of our students by ensuring that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to live, work, and thrive in our fast-changing world. I am honored to do this work beside all of you.
It has been an exceptionally busy and productive summer in RSU No. 67. I want to thank all our summer educators, support staff, bus/van drivers, and our administrators for an exceptional and successful summer learning program. I also want to thank our students and families for their dedication to regular attendance, and for supporting this extended learning opportunity. In addition, there are many other individuals such as bus mechanics, technology staff, food services, custodians, groundskeepers, clerks, and secretaries who work throughout the summer and are essential to our daily operations. We simply could not do what we do without them and their work is very much appreciated. Collectively, we are making a difference, ensuring that every student achieves success in our schools. Our students are the reason why we are here. We believe in them, and we know that they will learn and achieve more than they ever thought possible.
As you return to school this fall, you will find many improvements that we hope highlight your experience as students, staff, and families. These improvements include paving around Ella P. Burr; installing heat pump/air conditioning units on the top floors of Mattanawcook Academy and Mattanawcook Junior High School; installing energy-efficient lighting in all three schools; installing a new roof drain system at Ella P. Burr; constructing a new concrete foundation under the field house at the football field; upgrading the kitchens in all three schools; constructing a Disc Golf course behind Mattanawcook Academy; and, building a new multi-purpose complex (pickleball, basketball, and tennis) next to the tennis courts behind Mattanawcook Academy. In addition to these projects, the district converted from heating oil to natural gas heating and cooking at both Mattanawcook Academy and Mattanawcook Junior High School. I am truly amazed by how much our custodians and facilities crews have been able to accomplish this summer. Their work and attention to detail have transformed our schools in such a positive way, making them warm, welcoming, engaging, and safe for our students, staff, families, and communities.
Over the summer, the district has been able to fill open positions with exceptional teachers and support staff. At this time, our district is still in need of a special education administrative assistant in the district office, a first-grade teacher, bus drivers (we will train you), educational technicians, and substitutes. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a position in RSU No. 67, please visit our website for a list of current openings and/or contact Rose Clark at rclark@rsu67.org for more information.
Over the course of the next two weeks, our administrative team will be working long hours to prepare for the first days of school. There is still work to be done, but I am confident that we are up to the task and will be ready on day one!
I wish you all a wonderful remainder of the summer and I look forward to personally welcoming each of you back to school in just a couple weeks.
Sincerely,
Paul Austin, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools
RSU No. 67