From the Superintendent
This is the sixth, and final, segment in a series around the 2025-26 strategic priorities. This week's topic is focused on developing a new Strategic Plan that will guide the district during the years 2026-30.
MSAD 51 has a long-standing practice of using stakeholder-contributed strategic plans as guiding roadmaps for district and school improvement and growth. The current Strategic Plan was created in 2017-18 and initially expected to run through 2021. However, previous Boards opted to delay development of a new plan as we worked through pressing issues like the pandemic and One Campus project. But the time has come to begin anew as we look toward the future, fully cognizant that substantial energy, time, and resources must still be expended around the One Campus project as we make the shift to new grade spans in 2027-28.
The Curriculum Committee has been working on a community survey, which will be available in the near future, to help set the stage for developing a new plan. The survey will solicit input around potential areas for future work along with space to share new, open-ended ideas. Focus groups will be scheduled after the survey results have been compiled and analyzed, and community members can express interest in joining a focus group through the survey. Focus groups will help flesh out potential priorities in developing the new Strategic Plan. A draft plan incorporating feedback from the survey results and focus groups will be reviewed by the Curriculum Committee prior to final Board consideration and adoption in June 2026.
Speaking of surveys, we will be starting Transition Committees for each of the new grade span configurations (PK-1, 2-4, and 5-8) shortly. These committees will be formed in November-December and continue until the transition takes place during the summer of 2027. Committee members will include staff and parents at each level. If you are interested in participating in the important process of preparing our schools for this change, please complete the brief interest survey.
Did you miss any segments in this series? Check out previous topics below:
Summary of Priorities
New State Legislation involving Pre-K
New PK-5 Literacy Curriculum Resource: CKLA
Crisis Alert by Centegix
School Safety
Regards,
Jeff Porter
The current Strategic Plan, guiding MSAD #51 since 2018, will be replaced in June 2026 by a new 2026-30 plan.
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Last Chance!
It's the final week to get your name suggestions in. Don't wait! Get 10 signatures and don't forget to submit!
The deadline is quickly approaching. Don't miss your chance to submit your ideas on what our new school should be named!
Did you know that anyone can make a name suggestion?
We want to hear from you. What should we name this new school? Enter or submit your suggestions by the end of the month for a chance at your suggestion being brought to the Board of Directors.
Not sure how to submit a suggestion?
We've made it easy - here is the simple step process:
Signature Pages
Pick up a signature page at the District Office OR download and print one at home. All you need is 10 signatures from either community or staff members. Once completed, there are three ways to submit -
1. 
Mail your submission to:
MSAD #51
Attn: Melissa Porter
PO Box 6A
Cumberland, ME 04021
2. 
Drop it off in person at:
MSAD #51 District Office
357 Tuttle Road, Cumberland ME 04021
Hours: Mon- Fri; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
3. 
Digital Form Submission (no printing required)
CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to:
Melissa Porter
Phone: 207-829-4800 ext. 1
Email: [email protected]
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR IDEAS!
Students in Jenna Burke’s first grade class are signing their names to accompany their class’s submission for naming our new PreK-1 school.
Superintendent's Report
In case you missed the latest Superintendent's report at Thursday's Board meeting. 
Minding you mind
Stay Connected
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Find all the ways MSAD #51 shares information.
MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information
All meetings will take place at 6:00 pm in the Gyger Room at Greely High School. For those of you unfamiliar with that room, the Gyger Room can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).
November 6 - Joint Community Meeting
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Committee meetings this week:
October 28- Curriculum
Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos
One Campus Project Information
For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/
Visited the One Campus Photo Album Lately?
Check out all the updates going on with the One Campus construction projects here: https://sites.google.com/msad51.org/onecampusphotoalbum?usp=sharing
Useful Links
Greely Center for the Arts Events
If you would like something included in our weekly newsletter, please send a brief write up with title along with a JPEG or PNG image of your flyer (if applicable) to Melissa Porter for approval. The deadline each week is Wednesday. Any requests received after Wednesday will be reviewed for possible submission in the following week's newsletter. All approved submissions will be posted on the district's website.
Not all items in this email are MSAD #51 sponsored programs. If you need more information, please contact the group or organization that is sponsoring the event.
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us | 207.829.4800