Parents and students urge RSU 39 board to preserve teachers, courses and extracurriculars

Public commenters addressed the RSU 39 Board of Education during the board's public comment period, urging the board to reconsider staff reductions and to prioritize classroom capacity and student opportunities.

Rachel Bourgeois, a Caribou parent, told the board she is concerned the district may not fill an open sixth‑grade teaching position and said, "Cramming more students into classrooms that are already full and adding more students to the remaining teachers' rosters is not what we want for our children." She asked board members to spend time observing classrooms "not just a walk through, but...come see the school in action" before making staffing decisions.

Broom Caldwell, speaking on behalf of a Caribou High School civics class, urged the board to consider students' perspectives as it finalizes the budget. Caldwell warned that limiting course offerings — especially physical education and art — and cutting extracurriculars would "decrease the overall student experience" and could reduce scholarship opportunities for students.

Chair thanked the public commenters and the meeting proceeded to the superintendent's report and the budget discussion. The concerns raised by parents and students were part of the record as the board reviewed proposed staffing and budget reductions later in the meeting.