Orono board approves new middle‑school ELA ‘flex’ tracks after heated debate

The RSU 26 school board voted 3–1–1 to approve two new middle‑school ELA “flex” courses for next year, concluding a meeting that featured hours of public comment from teachers, parents and students and repeated calls for clearer data and sensitive messaging.

Supporters described the flex courses as choice‑based pathways that expand options for students who want a greater challenge. "We saw this class grow and take shape — it was one of the most impactful courses some students took," said Susan (director of learning), who outlined the program and the screening process using an interest form, writing samples and teacher input.

Teachers and parents raised concerns about social identity and the potential for students to feel stigmatized by being placed in non‑accelerated tracks. "The implication of a hard‑worker class is the implication of a not‑hard‑worker class," said a student speaker, urging careful language and communications. Several teachers said the district must protect students’ emotional well‑being and ensure proper supports and schedules if classes move students between grade levels or into high‑school courses.

Board members weighed the tradeoffs. One member emphasized research showing strong academic gains from well‑designed acceleration pathways and said inclusion does not mean treating every student identically. Another flagged the need to avoid de facto tracking through scheduling and recommended stronger, transparent data collection on academic and social‑emotional outcomes. Several trustees asked for empirical monitoring of outcomes and an explicit plan for communicating with families.

The board approved the two ELA flex courses but left specifics about screening and implementation to staff, emphasizing periodic review. The vote followed similar approval earlier in the meeting of two new math pathway courses (Algebra Explorations and Advanced Algebra), which passed unanimously. Supporters called the combined steps a move toward offering multiple pathways rather than a single accelerated track.

The board directed staff to proceed with implementation plans, to collect and analyze student performance and climate data, and to report back to the board in future meetings. The approved ELA changes will be added to next year’s course offerings; administrators said they will continue to refine intake processes to reduce stress on younger students and to preserve parent and student choice.