Gorham High School

Edward Fenn Elementary School has serious systemic issues that families deserve to know about. The district routinely discriminates against students with disabilities—delaying, denying, or minimizing needed services, even when parents provide documentation or pursue formal complaints. Many families end up having to fight tooth-and-nail, sometimes through litigation, just to secure basic supports their children are legally entitled to.Student safety is handled reactively rather than proactively, with the school consistently failing to anticipate or prevent issues. This leaves vulnerable kids especially at risk.Over the past few years, many of the experienced, effective teachers have left, and the school now relies heavily on brand-new staff with minimal experience. Hiring practices have been questionable as well, including instances of teachers working without proper certification.On top of all this, taxpayer resources are wasted on redundant or duplicated services, while essential supports for students with disabilities remain overstaffed and underprovided tipping the tax payer burden to near breaking point. There's allot of GLUT in taxpayer funding for minimal return or output which needs to be addressed as it has been mentioned during Town meetings. The administration likes to point to underfunding from the state, however not trimming the glut out of its practices of overpaying and hiring and training new staff needs to be addressed in a progressive manner.Edward Fenn Elementary has potential, but right now its priorities and practices do not reflect the needs of the students or the community.Finally, much of the dysfunction begins at the top. The superintendent’s leadership has been consistently self-serving rather than community-focused, with persistent issues of nepotism, conflicts of interest and pre-determined hiring decisions. The school board often acts as a rubber stamp, approving choices already made behind the scenes rather than providing real oversight.Edward Fenn Elementary has potential, but MAJOR structural change is needed for students to truly thrive.Edward Fenn has failed many of students and former Great staff. This SHOULD be an eye-opening assessment/ review for members of the board to take a deep dive into how the administration is effectively serving its community and its children. This is based off MANY constituents opinions not just one family.