Accolades for Bangor’s schools

As a recently retired teacher, I am saddened by the unfair and unfounded charges that have surfaced.

Bangor has an exceptional school system: one that makes us all exceedingly proud.

We have a conscientious, dedicated school board and strong, capable leadership. Martha Newman and Phyllis Shubert are strong proponents of the concept that all students can learn at a high academic level despite their socioeconomic circumstance. That belief places the responsibility on the school for meeting student needs at the very beginning of their academic career and providing the programs and services necessary to enable each student to reach his or her academic potential. This vision was also embraced by Chris Szal and Phyllis Guerette and many others. It leads directly to the academic excellence that Bangor schools have now achieved.

Robert Ervin, the Bangor school superintendent, is a strong and capable administrator. He is focused and determined. In 1992, as assistant superintendent, he chaired the First Grade Literacy Assessment Team. The first-grade reading scores more than doubled in a short time. The team trained other teachers in Maine and other states, including Alaska. They also presented their assessment tool to a large audience at the International Reading Conference. It was well-received.

We have a successful four-year-old program and a full-day kindergarten. There, and in all other grades, little miracles happen every day. All our students are achieving to the best of their ability even though 40 percent of them are on a reduced or free lunch program. Academic growth has been remarkable. Last April’s Annual Metro Achievement Scores in mathematics in grades two to eight went above the 70th percentile and the reading scores reached the 80th percentile.

In the last 20 years Bangor High has had more National Merit scholars than any public or private school in Maine. This year there are 10 pending National Merit Scholars and 20 commended scholars.

Of 120 math teams, Bangor has come in first or second place for the last 10 years with the Bangor team winning five times.

Sports Illustrated selected Bangor High as one of the top 20 athletic programs in the country.

Last year, Bangor High received the Siemans Award. This was given because our students had the highest Advanced Placement scores in all subjects in the state of Maine.

During a 12-year span, Teaching K-8 published 12 Bangor elementary school classroom articles, two of which were cover, feature stories and a third that received international attention.

The state average for graduates going on to higher education is around 57 percent. Bangor has had been better than 90 percent for the last five years.

All this did not just happen. It took exceptional leadership, and an experienced and knowledgeable school board, effective teaching, motivated students, parent input, and community and City Council support.

I offer my sincere thanks to Martha Newman, Phyllis Shubert, Chris Szal, Phyllis Guerette and Sandy Ervin who value academic excellence and have worked so diligently to make it a reality in Bangor for our children.

Maria Brountas taught in the Bangor school system for 37 years.