Southport school officials are considering adding extended day services next fall for students. Principal Lisa Clarke reported a parent survey showed interest in a five-day per week program lasting until 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Clarke described local day care as scarce due to a waiting list for other peninsula programs and the recent closing of a Boothbay Harbor facility. “Child care is becoming more challenging, and I feel an obligation to at least try and make something work,” she said. 

The program would not be an after-school program, even though it would occur after the school day ended. “It’s all in the language. An after-school program requires a different insurance. So the proper title is extended day services,” Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Bob Kahler said. AOS 98 has two other similar programs. The first was in Georgetown. The second is in Edgecomb. Clarke said she planned on seeking feedback from both school principals. 

In other action, the sixth grade requested a spring class trip to Boston. The class has two students who both selected the city former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes described as the “Hub of the Solar System.”

“The students are researching duck boat tours, museum and  train schedules. They also are continuing fundraising for the May trip,” Clarke said. 

Board Chairman Adam Harkins updated the committee about the school’s windows and furnace problems. In March, committee members heard a report stating  the windows installed in September, and reinstalled in December, still did not fit properly. They also heard a report about problems with the furnace’s mechanical operating system. “The number of windows needing replacement is down to five,” Harkins said. “And the windows and furnace should both be fixed during April vacation.”

Clarke announced the annual talent show would be on April 26. The annual concert would be on June 7. Both events would be held at the town hall at 6 p.m. The committee also adopted the 2023-24 school calendar. The first school day is Tuesday, Sept. 5, and the last is Wednesday, June 12, with no snow days used.

The committee meets next at 4 p.m. Monday, May 15 at Southport Central School.