News & Announcements » MSAD #51 District Newsletter - April 6, 2026

MSAD #51 District Newsletter - April 6, 2026

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From the Superintendent

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Below are several important district updates and announcements.

New Director of Business Services
Mr. Don Gray has been appointed the new MSAD #51 Director of Business Services, replacing Scott Poulin, who is retiring this summer.
Don has been one of the assistant principals at Greely High School since 2018 and is widely respected in this role. During the 2021-22 school year, he was appointed the Interim Principal of Greely High School. Prior to his time in the district, he served for fifteen years as the assistant principal at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham. Don’s work as an educational leader in MSAD #51 over the past eight years, along with his lengthy military career involving operations work for the US Navy, contributed to his selection. Additionally, Don has chaired the district’s Safety Committee for the last several years, helping to realize numerous safety and security initiatives. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Gray to his new role providing leadership for all business-related functions in the district. Many thanks and best wishes to Scott Poulin for his lengthy and dedicated service to the district.
Mr. Don Gray - newly appointed Director of Business Services2026-27 Budget Update
On April 2, the MSAD 51 Board advanced a total of $735,800 in reductions to the Proposed 2026-27 Budget. These reductions, pending the Board's final approval on April 15, will reduce the overall budget to 6.23% over the current year. After the April 2 meeting, we received notification that our health insurance rate had dropped significantly, which will further reduce the overall budget once we recalculate staff benefits lines. For more information about the proposed FY 27 budget, visit https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/budget.
FY 27 Budget bumper sticker highlights
 
New PK-1 School Has a Name
The Board officially named the new PK-1 building, set to open in August 2027, the Carolyn F. Small School. A longtime educational technician at MIW, Carolyn continues to be an active member of the school community as president of the Cumberland Historical Society. In this role, she has been instrumental in helping elementary students learn the history of Cumberland and North Yarmouth over the years. Please join me in congratulating Carolyn for this well-deserved honor.
The Carolyn F. Small School "The Small School"

Say Something Anonymous Reporting App Update

Over the last three years, as part of the district's comprehensive safety and security planning, MSASD 51 has offered an anonymous reporting platform in conjunction with the Sandy Hook Promise organization. Ensuring that we have the most effective tools and processes in place is a critical aspect of our district’s commitment to the safety of our students, staff, and school community.

As we continue to monitor and upgrade our safety approaches, systems, and available tools, we have found that the current Say Something Anonymous reporting app often creates barriers to providing real-time help. Unfortunately, many anonymous tips shared through Say Something have lacked the specific details needed for our staff to intervene effectively. Additionally, we have seen some instances where the anonymity of the system has been used to target individuals rather than report genuine safety concerns.

In reviewing the Say Something Anonymous reporting app, and to ensure our students get the right support at the right time, we are moving toward a more direct, localized approach. After careful consideration, MSAD 51 is discontinuing its use of the Say Something Anonymous reporting app.

During school hours, students and parents should reach out directly to an administrator, school social worker, school counselor, or teacher. This allows our mental health team to activate immediate, individualized risk assessments while coordinating directly with families. Our school crisis response teams monitor reports strictly during school hours.

GHS and GMS staff will be communicating with students and staff about this change, along with the appropriate resources and next steps to take when safety concerns arise.

As a reminder, the Sandy Hook Promise encourages everyone in the school community to:

  1. Recognize the signs: Identify warning signs, signals, and threats (especially on social media) of at-risk behavior or potential violence.

  2. Act immediately & take it seriously: Do not ignore warning signs and overcome barriers to taking action.

  3. Say something to a trusted adult: Report the concern to a parent/guardian, school official, teacher, coach, counselor, or other trusted adult.

For immediate danger or mental health crises occurring after hours, please use the following 24/7 resources:

  • Immediate Life-Threatening Emergency: Call 911

  • The Maine Crisis Line: Call or Text 1-888-568-1112

  • National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988

Please contact school staff (during school hours) or crisis services (after hours) if you notice:

  • Direct Threats: Any mention of self-harm or violence toward others.

  • Sudden Changes: Extreme withdrawal, hopelessness, or significant behavioral shifts.

This change does not in any way diminish our steadfast and longtime commitment to all of the other comprehensive safety measures that have been in place for many years now. Moving to more direct lines of communication helps ensure our resources are focused where they are needed most. Thank you for your continued partnership to keep our school community safe.

For more information about MSAD 51’s comprehensive safety approaches and systems, visit our district’s safety and security webpage: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/safety_security.

Please keep a Greely Family in your Thoughts
As many of you have undoubtedly heard by now, a Greely parent passed away last week while rescuing his children in a rip tide.
Ryan Jennings was connected to many families through his dedicated coaching of youth sports, and his loss is felt by many in the school community. Please join me in keeping the Jennings family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Regards,
Jeff Porter
Mock interviews with Katie Dexter's public speaking classOn March 27, students in Katie Dexter’s Public Speaking class at GHS participated in mock interviews, gaining hands-on experience and receiving valuable feedback from interviewers.

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

Good News Greely

Check out our monthly publication celebrating what makes MSAD #51 such a spectacular district! Pick up your copy at the Cumberland Town Office, Prince Memorial Library, Food Stop, the North Yarmouth Town Office, or North Yarmouth Variety Store.
Good news greely publicationgood news greely publication page 2

This Sunday! Don't forget

Kylecares 5K flyer 3rd annual

Stay Connected

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Click on the icon above to connect with MSAD #51.
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).

April 15- Regular Meeting

Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)

Committee meetings this week:
April 8 - Early Childhood Special Education
April 10 - Finance

Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos

Community Partners

Our Community Partners are strong supporters of various areas of the school. Without them, our students would not have many of the wonderful opportunities and experiences that they receive.

Save the Date Read-A-Thin K-3

Read-A-Thon 4-5

Event flyer for Greely Gear resale with details and visuals of apparel.

Community Notices

Community Notices are not affiliated with MSAD #51. Please contact the organization directly with any questions. Here is a full listing of Community Notices.

Family School Alliance - Maine Youth Thriving

Useful Links

Employment Opportunities

MSAD #51 Website

Strategic Plan

District Calendar

GHS Athletics Schedule

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.

Maine School Administrative District #51
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us | 207.829.4800