The two school boards representing School Administrative District 28 (Camden-Rockport K-8) and the Five Town CSD (Camden Hills Regional High School) will convene Aug. 21 to talk about the role of being a school board member, the future of athletic fields at the high school, and the decreasing numbers of students enrolled in the elementary schools.

The workshop wil take place in the Rose Hall Board Room at Rose Hall, on Knowlton Street in Camden at the middle school campus, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The agenda follows:

Introductions and Community Building (5:00 – 5:50)

2-minute story (30 min)

Hometown, Family, Occupation, Reason for joining

Team-building exercise – (Nails) (20 min)

Superintendent Updates (5:50 – 6:00)

Collaborative Discussion: Highly Effective Board Members (6:00 – 6:10)

1. 1. Be Prepared
      1. Prepare for meetings by thoroughly reviewing board packet
      2. Attend meetings (including committees, workshops)
   2. Be Active
      1. Attend Professional Development, e.g. October conference
      2. Attend events – graduation, Fine Arts night, etc.
   3. Seek to understand issues during discussion, come to conclusions after discussion.
      1. Come to meetings with an open mind and make decisions based on the information presented/available.
      2. Make decisions based on what is in the best interest of the District, and those we serve, leaving behind what may or may not be best for you or your family.
   4. Key qualities: Gift to listen, ability to compromise, respectful, ethical.
   5. Be flexible and realize there are times when changes must be made, when tradition cannot be honored, and when pressure must be ignored.
      
      Dinner (6:10 – 6:20, then a working dinner)
      
      District/school priorities (6:20 – 7 p.m.)
      1. Last year’s responses
      2. Discussion:
         1. Still relevant?
         2. Anything to change?
         3. Fit with a Strategic Plan?
         4. Key priorities missing?
            
            Key questions to address and discuss (7 to 8 p.m.)
            1. CSD: Athletic Fields at CHRHS. Minutes from 6/9/25 meeting, ppt from Activitas.
               1. Consideration of inorganic fertilizer and pesticides as needed for 10-20% improvement of Don Palmer Field.
               2. Follow up on feasibility of field renovation:
                  1. Baseball
                  2. Practice
                  3. Field Hockey
            2. SAD 28: Discussion of declining enrollment and how to adjust accordingly:
               1. Present enrollment and financial data.
               2. Share input from the session with parents and teachers.
2. Adjourn