RSU 9 Prepares for 3 & 4-Year-Old Special Ed

Regional School Unit 9 (RSU 9) is actively preparing to provide special education services for 4-year-olds, with the program slated to begin in the 2026-27 school year. This move is a crucial step in a statewide transition mandated by recent legislation, which requires all districts to offer these services to children aged 3 to 5 with individualized education programs by July 2028. Previously, this responsibility fell under Child Development Services (CDS).

The transition, organized into four cohorts, places RSU 9 in Cohort 3. The district aims to start with 4-year-olds to build program momentum, with plans to include 3-year-olds in the subsequent year. District staff are collaborating with the Maine Department of Education and CDS, and are also engaging with local pre-kindergarten teachers and child care providers to identify eligible children.

RSU 9 is also establishing a dual diploma program with Instituto Tepeyac Campus Xcaret in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This partnership will allow Mexican students to attend Mt. Blue Campus during their junior year, earning diplomas from both institutions. The program's generated funds are intended to support the reestablishment of elementary-level world language programs within the district, while also offering local students valuable cultural experiences and potential travel opportunities.

In addition to these new initiatives, RSU 9's nutrition services director reported a successful administrative review for the after-school meals program, which has served an average of 255 meals daily since last October. A new menu planning program, Menu Freedom, is set to be implemented in September to simplify menu creation and ensure compliance with USDA nutrition standards.