Spruce Mountain High School has seen a noticeable increase in disciplinary issues during the first few weeks of the school year, Principal TJ Plourde told the Regional School Unit 73 Board of Directors Thursday.
Since classes began Aug. 27, the school has issued 45 detentions and 19 suspensions. Six suspensions involved student conflicts, five involved inappropriate language toward staff, six were related to civil rights violations, one involved a threat and two involved possession of drugs or vapes.
“It’s been a tough few weeks here,” Plourde said, calling it one of the most difficult starts the school has experienced in years.
When asked about the civil rights violations, Plourde said they involved a combination of issues related to race, sexuality and gender. The school plans to bring in the outside group Choices Matter this fall to work with students on race, gender, communication and personal responsibility.
Plourde said students returning from suspension receive support and an opportunity to start fresh.
The school, which has 419 students, also has an absentee rate of about 11%, with a student considered absent after missing four or more classes in a day, according to a report at The Maine Monitor.
The board also heard that teachers Rob Taylor and Kim Bryant have been helping other faculty members learn about artificial intelligence. Plourde said teachers are emphasizing students’ own work as schools increasingly look for alternatives to AI-generated assignments.
Special Services Director Cherie Parker reported an increase in special-education referrals, particularly among younger students. The district has received 19 evaluation referrals for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.
Across the district, 340 students have special-education plans, 11 more than last year. The total includes 90 primary students, 72 elementary students, 74 middle school students and 104 high school students.
Meanwhile, STAR assessments are underway at all four schools, with most students having completed the math portion and the language portion expected to wrap up next week.
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