Superintendent's Office

July 30, 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Community Members,

I hope this message finds you well rested, energized and excited for the year ahead! This is the

first of several emails I am sure you will receive from various school officials as we get closer to

opening day.

Every school year is sure to bring change. Some changes are carefully planned, while others

arise from new opportunities or life's unexpected turns. Although change can sometimes be

bittersweet, it also reflects growth and reminds us that our schools are continually evolving to

meet the needs of our students and community. Throughout these transitions, one thing remains

constant which is our unwavering commitment to providing every student with a safe,

welcoming, and engaging learning environment where they can thrive.

To that end, I would like to mention some changes that will take place with our administrative

team members.

1. Curriculum Coordinator/Federal Grant Administrator and Director of Maintenance

and Facilities

Ms. Michelle Lake who served as our Curriculum Coordinator and Federal Grant Administrator

and Mr. Cory Eisenhour who served as our Director of Maintenance and Facilities will not be

returning to Winslow this fall. Ms. Lake has taken the next step in her professional career by

accepting a position in RSU 38 as their Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Eisenhour has accepted

the Director of Facilities and Maintenance Position at Nokomis, which is also the school district

for the community in which he resides and that his children attend school.

We wish both Ms. Lake and Mr. Eisenhour the absolute best in their new roles!

We are excited to announce that Ms. Theresa Violette has been hired as our new Curriculum

Coordinator and Federal Grants Administrator. Ms. Violette brings more than three decades of

experience in education. Throughout her career, she has served as a classroom teacher,

literacy coach and interventionist, MTSS coordinator, and literacy consultant, providing

professional learning opportunities for educators across the state.

Her leadership experience includes serving as a Federal Programs Director, McKinney-Vento

Liaison, and principal, giving her a comprehensive understanding of both school and district

level administration.

Ms. Violette is truly looking forward to her new opportunity with the Winslow School Community!

Mr. Charlie McCann has been hired as the new Director of Facilities and Maintenance for

Winslow Public Schools. As many of you know, Mr. McCann has been working as the Grounds

and Maintenance Technician for Winslow Schools since 2019.

What you might not know is that prior to working for Winslow, Mr. McCann served as the

Director of Parks, Trees and Cemeteries for the City of Augusta; the Grounds Supervisor for the

University of North Carolina at Charlotte; the Grounds Supervisor for Colby College; and the

Assistant Superintendent of Natanis Golf Course.

His various experiences have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the

planning, communication, and leadership required to effectively manage school facilities.

Mr. McCann is looking forward to providing all staff and students a safe and inviting learning and

working environment.

2. Winslow High School Principal

The next change I want to bring to your attention has to do with Mr. Chad Bell. Mr. Bell has

accepted a position as the Director of the Capital Area Technical Center.

We wish Mr. Bell the very best and thank him for his tireless service to the students, staff, and

families of the Winslow Community. Mr. Bell’s ability to build relationships with students along

with his interest in the trades will be a huge asset in his new role at the Capital Area Technical

Center.

With change comes an opportunity to look at existing practices and administrative structures in

a new way. To that end, the following change was proposed to our current junior high and high

school administrative structure. The proposal includes one principal for both the junior and

senior high school, along with two assistant principals. The end result is that there are still three

administrators to provide the educational leadership and management of two buildings.

One assistant principal would primarily oversee grades 7-9 while the other would oversee

grades 10-12. The educational benefits of this proposed configuration were discussed with

numerous stakeholders and the overall consensus was favorable in moving the proposal to the

Winslow Board of Education for consideration.

The Board approved the new administrative structure for Winslow Junior and Senior High

School and they also approved my recommendation to appoint Mr. Jason Briggs as the principal

under the new configuration. Mr. Briggs is an experienced administrator and has an outstanding

reputation as a building administrator. His past administrative experiences include serving as

the building principal for Winslow Junior High and serving as the Winslow Public Schools

Athletic Director. He has also been a teacher at both the junior and senior high school levels.

Mr. Briggs is very excited and very much looking forward to being in his new role!

3. Winslow High School Assistant Principal

With the restructuring of the administrative configuration at the junior/senior high school (i.e. one

principal and two assistant principals vs two principals and one assistant principal) the interview

committee recommended Mr. Simon Elias as the grade 10-12 assistant principal. Mr. Chris

Preble will oversee the assistant principal duties for grades 7-9. Both assistant principals will

support both schools when needed but their primary duties will be the above listed grade levels.

Mr. Elias comes to us from Nokomis Regional High School. He holds a Masters in Educational

Leadership and has been serving as their athletic director for the past five years. Prior to that,

he served as a teacher at Nokomis High School from 2014 to 2022. He also served as the

Department Head for Social Studies and was the Subject Area Leader. He has also served as a

Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach. Mr. Elias is a resident of Winslow and is looking forward

to this new opportunity.

4. Winslow Elementary School Assistant Principal

The final administrative change I would like to mention is that of Ms. Jessica Skillings-York. Ms.

York has decided to leave the administrative ranks and return to teaching. She has accepted a

position as a fourth grade teacher at the Margaret Chase Smith Community School. We thank

Ms. York for her service and wish her the very best in her new role.

Mr. Gary Dugal has been hired to be the new assistant principal at Winslow Elementary School.

Mr. Dugal may be a familiar name to some of you because he was the former assistant principal

at Winslow Junior High before accepting a position at the Goodwill Hinckley School where he

served in various administrative positions for the past several years. Mr. Dugal brings a wealth

of administrative experience to our district and will be a tremendous asset to the elementary

school community.

5. Changes other than staff for the coming school year

Student Demographic Update- needed by Parents/Guardians

To ensure the School District has accurate and up-to-date information, parents and guardians

are asked to complete an Annual Update at the beginning of each school year. This has

traditionally been completed by asking parents and guardians to complete several forms

(multiple copies of the form if you had more than one student attending Winslow Schools). In an

effort to streamline the process and receive updated accurate information, parents and

guardians can now use the Winslow Public Schools online portal to review and update your

household and student information. We ask that you please access your portal account and

complete the annual update as soon as possible.

For instructions on accessing your portal account and completing the Annual Update, please

visit the District website:

https://winslow.aos92.org/OLR

If you have any questions regarding this process, please email mreny@aos92.org.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with getting your child's records updated. Accurate

records help Winslow Public Schools better support you and your students.

Student cell phones and other personal electronic devices

The State of Maine has adopted a new law regarding the use of cell phones and other personal

electronic devices by students from the moment they enter school until when they leave at the

end of the day.

Known as the “Bell to Bell” law, it applies to all students attending public schools in the state of

Maine. The intent of the law is to reduce distractions so that students have the best possible

learning environment during the school day. The law requires the local school board to adopt a

Bell to Bell policy regarding cell phones and other personal electronic devices.

In addition to a policy, schools are also charged with implementing the rules that will accompany

how the policy will be administered. The rules that will accompany our policy are being

discussed with input from various stakeholders.

Your child's building administrator will be in touch with you prior to the start of school to explain

how this new legislation will be implemented at your child's school. With your help and support, I

am confident that we can turn this change into a positive learning experience.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please feel free to contact me or reach

out to your child's building administrator.

In closing, please know that I am incredibly proud to serve as your Superintendent. Winslow is

an amazing community. It's a community that understands educating our children is a shared

responsibility. When families, educators, staff, and our community work together, we create an

environment where every child feels valued, supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.

Thank you for being part of our school community. We cannot wait to welcome our students

back and begin another wonderful year together.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Peter Thiboutot

Superintendent, Winslow Public Schools

June 4, 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

The flurry of activities, events, and celebrations during this time of year serves as a reminder that another school year is quickly coming to a close.

At this time, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our parents, families, staff, and community members for the support, encouragement, and partnership you have shown throughout the year. The success of our students is a reflection of the collective care, dedication, and commitment of so many people working together with a shared purpose. Whether through volunteering your time, supporting learning at home, cheering on student accomplishments, or contributing to the Winslow School community in countless ways, your impact has been felt and appreciated every day. Thank you for believing in our children, supporting our schools, and helping make this year such a meaningful and successful one.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to the parents, guardians and caregivers to the students who have recently graduated. Please know that it has been an honor to serve your children and to witness how their experiences in the Winslow Public Schools have helped lay a strong foundation for their future endeavors. Their achievements are a testament not only to their hard work and perseverance but also to the unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement they have received from all of you. Thank you for the important role you have played in helping them reach this significant milestone.

As one school year closes, preparations for the 2026-2027 school year are already underway. We are working diligently to ensure that our current and incoming students receive the support, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.

It goes without saying that the development of the 2026-2027 school budget is essential to a successful transition into next year.

The school budget was developed with certain priorities in mind as a result of our analysis of data. Our budget presentations showcased our successes, including the fact that our students performed at or above state academic expectations when compared with peers across Maine.

Our budget presentations featured a detailed, line-by-line breakdown of the proposed budget and highlighted major cost drivers, including inflation, contractual obligations, unfunded state mandates, and negotiated labor increases. The budget was crafted by focusing on needs rather than wants, with thoughtful cuts and adjustments made throughout the process.

During our presentations, we also shared the ways in which we worked to reduce the cost burden on local taxpayers. For example, our continued participation in a service center model for business operations, combined with joint fuel bids involving three different towns and school districts, helped stabilize heating and fuel costs for another year. Our budget presentations were live streamed and recorded. You can find detailed information of each meeting including the third and final draft of our summary and revenue sheets by going to the following link: https://winslow.aos92.org...

In summary, our total budget request for 2026-2027 is $21,190,946.81. This represents a 1.05% increase over last year. However, it’s important to note that this budget will once again not increase the local tax appropriation to the Winslow tax payer due to our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, an increase in state subsidy, and cuts and adjustments made to the proposed budget.

In fact, this budget reduces the local tax appropriation by $365,875.20, a 3.96% decrease from the previous year. This is a noteworthy accomplishment, especially in light of current inflation and broader economic pressures.

I am pleased to report that our proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year of $21,190,946.81 was unanimously approved by both the Winslow School Board and the Winslow Town Council.

I would like to thank our staff, administrators, school board members, and our central office team for the time and effort invested in developing this budget. I also extend my gratitude to the town council and town manager for recognizing the school district's work in producing a budget that supports our goals and needs while remaining fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of the Winslow Community.

The final step of the budget process is of course the budget validation referendum. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Winslow residents will have the opportunity to vote on the 2026-2027 school budget. Voting will take place at the Winslow VFW, located at 175 Veterans Drive. The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

I would ask that you please exercise your right to vote.

With pride and appreciation,

Peter Thiboutot

Superintendent, Winslow Public Schools

January 31, 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

On Monday, February 2, 2026 the Winslow School Board will hold the first of many meetings focused on the development of the 2026-2027 draft school budget.

The development of a school budget is a long process involving numerous meetings and conversations with key stakeholders. As always, the budget is developed with certain priorities in mind as a result of our analysis of student data (both academic and social-emotional). Over the course of the next few months, budget presentations will be held with the Winslow Board of Education. I have included a budget timeline (see below) in the event you would like to attend any of the meetings. The meetings will be held in the Winslow Jr./Sr. High School Library. They begin at 6:00pm. The meetings are open to the public, live streamed, and recorded for transparency and accessibility. You can view the live board meeting by going to the Black Raider News Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@...).

During the presentations, you will hear about our successes, student demographics, our goals and the rationale behind our request.

The presentations will feature a line by line accounting of the budget and will highlight the major cost drivers which include inflation, contractual obligations, unfunded state mandates, and negotiated labor increases.

I hope you are able to take advantage of attending some or all of our budget meetings either in person or virtually from the comfort of your home.

Thank you in advance for taking the time out of your busy schedules to learn about the thinking that went into the preparation of this budget and the needs we are trying to address with our financial request in order to provide a quality education for our students.

Peter Thiboutot

Superintendent, Winslow Public Schools

February 2, 2026

• Budget Development Process

• Draft Transportation Budget

• Draft Technology Budget

February 23, 2026

• Introduction to Assessment Data

• Draft Winslow Elementary School Budget

• Draft Winslow Jr. High School Budget

• Draft Winslow High School Budget

• Draft Winslow Junior High and High School Athletics Budgets

• Draft Winslow Elementary, Junior, and High School Maintenance Budgets

March 9, 2026

Draft Special Education Budget

Draft Board and Central Office Budget

Draft Health Services Budget

Draft Alternative Education Budget

Draft ESOL Budget

Draft Certification Budget

March 23, 2026

Draft Summary & Revenue Sheet

First Reading of the School Budget by Winslow School Board

March 26, 2026

Budget Workshop with the Winslow Town Council- Winslow Public Library 6:00 p.m.

April 13, 2026

Town Council First Vote on Budget. Winslow Public Library

November 23, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

As we head into Thanksgiving break, I am reminded of how much we have to be grateful for as a school community. Each day, our students, staff, families, and community members show us what it means to learn, lead, and support one another with pride. I’d like to share just a few highlights from this past week that reflect the extraordinary spirit of the Winslow  School Community.

Earlier in the week, I visited the elementary school as they celebrated Readathon Week. Students and staff arrived dressed as beloved book characters, filling the halls with creativity, energy, and laughter. The joy on their faces made it clear that the event accomplished exactly what it set out to do, which is to celebrate the power of reading and spark a lifelong love of learning.

At the most recent school board meeting, Jr. High Principal Jason Briggs recognized students who were honored for their positive citizenship at the Remarkable Raider Assembly. He also recognized a growing number of students who earned Kennebec Valley Honors in choir and band.

Meanwhile, Winslow High School celebrated Futures Day, a signature experience that brings the entire student body of nearly 400 students together for hands-on exploration of life after graduation. Students traveled to colleges, training programs, military bases, and job sites, gaining first hand exposure to possible career paths. Thanks to continued support from the MELMAC Education Foundation, this initiative has become a cornerstone of  Winslow High School’s college- and career-readiness programming, empowering students to envision and prepare for bright futures.

The end of the week brought three evenings of outstanding performances by the  Winslow Drama Club as they presented their production of Disney’s Newsies, The Musical.

Our student-athletes and coaches completed a successful fall sports season, with several students earning individual recognition in their respective sports. In addition, our Varsity Girls Soccer Team earned Runner-Up honors in the Northern Maine Class C Championship, a hard-fought competition that went into two overtimes.

Our Varsity Football Team won the Northern Maine Class D Championship, avenging their only loss of the season to the John Bapst Crusaders. They went on to play in the Class D State Championship game, where they earned Runner-Up honors.

Across the district, all schools took part in the Adopt-a-Family Program, a PreK–12 effort that brings comfort and care to students and families during the holiday season. Through the thoughtful work of guidance counselors, social workers, teachers, and the generosity of staff and community members, confidential wish lists were created and fulfilled with gifts, clothing, food, and essential items. This year, more than 60 students and families will feel the warmth of this kindness over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Adopt-a-Family initiative represents the  Winslow Community working together at its very best.

In closing, I hope the information above brings a smile to your face, as it does mine, and fills you with a sense of pride and accomplishment. If you are a parent, guardian, or caregiver to one of our students, thank you for your continued support and for the honor of allowing us to work with your children.

If you are a community member or part of an organization that contributed to our Adopt-a-Family Program, you have every reason to be proud, for you have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many of our families. If you are a member of our staff or faculty, I commend you for your tireless efforts. Please know that you are truly exceptional.

To all, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving break. Thank you for your continued support of  Winslow Public Schools and for the honor of serving your students and your families.

With appreciation,

Peter Thiboutot

Superintendent of Winslow Public Schools

November 10, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the members of the Winslow Elementary School PTO, along with the staff and community volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to making the November Craft Fair a success. Your efforts not only supported our schools, but also strengthened the wonderful sense of community that makes Winslow such a special place. Please know that your commitment and enthusiasm are appreciated.

In addition to our PTO, I would also like to recognize the many parents and caregivers who have been involved with one of our Booster organizations during the first quarter of the year. Like the PTO, your continued support and contributions are essential to our programs and to the success of our students. Thank you for the countless hours you devote to enriching our school community.

The beginning of November is a reminder that we are now settled into a new year. The successful transition from getting schools open to full operation comes as a result of hard work and dedication on the part of many individuals and departments. For example, the transportation department has been down two drivers since the start of the year. With a shortage of drivers statewide, our transportation department has worked extra hard to ensure we continue to safely transport our students both to and from school and their extra curricular events. That being said, I am pleased to announce that we have hired two drivers to fill our long term vacancies. The first driver will start this week and the second will be available to us in December. This will allow us to return to our regular runs and eliminate some of the double runs we have had to put in place.

As thrilled as I am about filling our bus driver vacancies, we could still use a larger substitute teaching and educational technician pool. If you or someone you know is interested in being a substitute in our district and would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact me at the central office so that I can answer any questions you might have.    Please know that being a substitute teacher or substitute educational technician does not require you to commit to a daily assignment.

Our faculty and staff continue to grow as professionals through ongoing learning opportunities provided during our delayed start and professional development days. These designated times allow our educators, from PreK through Grade 12, to collaborate, refine their skills, and engage in meaningful discussions that directly benefit our students. If you would like to learn more about the instructional initiatives we’re focusing on this year, I invite you to visit our District Curriculum Website.

I also encourage you to take a moment to explore the “Proud Moments” section on our district website. This page is updated regularly with celebrations of student accomplishments, staff highlights, and the many wonderful things happening across our schools. I hope you’ll visit often and share in the pride we feel for our students and community.

As we move further into November, we know that colder weather and the possibility of delays or cancellations are just around the corner. As in previous years, we’ll continue to use our informational system called ReachMyTeach for important and time-sensitive updates, including snow days and other urgent notifications.

As always, if you have any questions about your child’s school or upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, building administrator, or to me directly. Our school websites are also a great resource for up-to-date information about what’s happening across the district.

In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the privilege of working with your children and for the strong partnership we share in supporting their growth and success. I would also like to offer a special and heartfelt thank you to all of our veterans. This Veterans Day, we honor your courage, your sacrifices, and your unwavering dedication to protecting our freedoms. Our school community is profoundly grateful for your service and the example of commitment and integrity you set for our students.

Winslow is truly a remarkable community, filled with caring families, devoted staff, and dedicated neighbors who come together to make our schools thrive. I look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.

Thank you.

Peter Thiboutot

Superintendent

October 31, 2025 

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Community Members, 

In the past few days, I have received several inquiries about how the current government shutdown may affect the school's ability to provide meals for our students. In response to those inquiries, I would like to share the following information from a Maine Department of Education Priority notice I recently received. 

Maine Department of Education Priority Notice 

Child Nutrition Programs will continue to operate as usual. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified states that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued for November, this does not affect school meal programs. Child Nutrition Programs and SNAP are administered separately, and school meal operations will not be affected by changes to federal SNAP benefits. 

With that being said, this is a good time to remind everyone that each school offers a Raider Closet that can be accessed discreetly, with items such as food and clothing that can be taken home. If you are interested in contributing to a Winslow Public School Raider Closet, please contact the school office directly. 

Also, additional support for Winslow families in need of food assistance can be found at the following locations. 

Winslow Community Cupboard 

12 Lithgow St 

207-872-2544 

Hours: 2nd and 4th Thursdays. 

8:00am-12p.m. 

2:00p.m-3p.m. 

4p.m.-6:00p.m. 

St. John’s Food Pantry 

26 Monument St. 

207-680-6422 

Hours: 3rd Weds 10a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Thank you. 

Peter Thiboutot- Superintendent of Winslow Schools 

October 17, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

I hope this message finds you well. It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of the first quarter of the 2025–2026 school year. The year is off to a strong and positive start, and I’d like to take a moment to share just a few highlights on some of the initiatives and achievements that are happening throughout our district.

I am proud to share that earlier this year, the Commission on Public Schools, at its June 2025 meeting, reviewed the Three-Year Report of Progress and Planning for Winslow High School and voted to award the school continued accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and administration. Their efforts ensure that our students continue to benefit from a high-quality educational experience, and the accreditation has been extended for another three years.

In addition, Winslow High School has once again been approved for recognition through the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Recognition Program by Special Olympics North America. This marks the second time our high school has received this national honor which is a testament to the inclusive and supportive culture fostered by our students and staff.

Earlier this fall, ten of our high school students attended the Female Athletic Leadership Conference, where they represented our school with pride and leadership. This inspiring event provided them with new ideas and strategies to bring back to their teams, helping strengthen relationships, build skills, and empower future leaders.

At the junior high, the Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program is running its annual “Socktober” fundraiser to support local homeless shelters. Meanwhile, our Student Leadership Committee is organizing activities throughout the year to promote kindness and raise awareness about anti-bullying.

Our elementary school staff continues to provide exceptional instruction across all content areas, ensuring that students build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. In addition to academic growth and achievement, they continue to emphasize the importance of being respectful, responsible, and safe, fostering a positive and nurturing learning environment.

Our music, band, and chorus programs continue to shine, with many students auditioning for the Kennebec Valley Honors Music Festival (KV). Students selected will represent Winslow in the KV festival which will take place in the Winter.

Fall athletics are thriving as well, with over 40% of our students participating in fall sports. It has been an exciting season, and we’re looking forward to seeing several of our teams advance to the playoffs!

Finally, our staff professional development remains a priority. This summer, approximately 45 teachers, team leaders, and administrators participated in a Successful Leadership Team Workshop to review progress on our school goals related to academic achievement and fostering a respectful and responsible school culture. The data gathered during this workshop will help guide our professional learning and goal setting for the remainder of the year.

The highlights above are just a snapshot of the outstanding work happening in Winslow Public Schools. I would encourage you to visit our school website and explore the “Proud Moments” tab on an ongoing basis where we will continue to post future achievements .

As we near the end of the quarter, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to our students. I also want to thank our parents, guardians, and community members for your continued support.

Strong schools make for a strong community. Thank you for all that you do.

Peter