Interested in serving on the RSU 38 Community Planning Team?
RSU 38 / Maranacook Area Schools Strategic Planning — A Community Update July 9, 2026
Maranacook Area Schools/RSU 38 has partnered with the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to develop our next Strategic Plan and a Best Educational Use of School Facilities Study that will include all six of our schools. Together, this work will help us look honestly at our present and future needs and chart a shared, forward-looking course for the district. Strategic planning is a recognized best practice, and with our most recent plan having reached the end of its cycle, the timing is right to begin this work in earnest. I’m pleased to report that we are right on track with the process.
A two-part approach. I recently met with David DeRuosi of NESDEC to review the structure of this effort, which brings together two complementary teams. A District Leadership Team, made up of district and school leaders, will help guide internal work and ensure the process remains grounded in sound data. A Community Planning Team will bring families, staff, and community members together to shape the vision and priorities that belong to all of us. Community voice is central to this work, and the Community Planning Team is where much of that voice will be heard.
Serving on the Community Planning Team — how to take part. We are now inviting community members to express interest in serving on the Community Planning Team. The team is designed to reflect the full breadth of our communities, with broad representation from our four towns and from a range of stakeholder groups — school board members, parents and guardians, school leaders, teachers and staff, municipal officials, and community members. Members can expect to serve on a working team of roughly 14 to 18 people and participate in a series of meetings throughout the planning process.
Please review the attached document, Composition and Selection of the Community Planning Team, to understand the full scope of the role and the time commitment involved before expressing interest. To put your name forward, please complete NESDEC’s online interest form at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BQG5DL8
The form will be open from July 10 through 5:00 p.m. on July 31, 2026 — a three-week window. After it closes, NESDEC will compile the responses and bring them to our Plan-to-Plan Committee, which will finalize the team’s membership using the established criteria, including town of residence and stakeholder role. This approach keeps the selection fair, balanced, and community-driven.
What’s next? I will meet with NESDEC on July 15 to discuss the full scope of the work and will update our administrative team at that time. I’ll follow up with further communications afterward as more details take shape and the Community Planning Team is announced.
Thank you for your continued interest and engagement. This is important work, and we’re grateful to be doing it together.
Sincerely,
Karen G. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
Related documents
NESDEC Agreement — Best Educational Use of School Facilities Study & Strategic Planning Consulting Services (6.25.26)
Composition and Selection of the Community Planning Team (7.9.26)
RSU 38 Reorganization Plan (7.1.09)