On Aug 14th, Class of 2026 student-issued MSAD11 Gmail accounts will be deactivated. Please take this time to offload any data you want to keep and transition to a personal email. thanks
IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR GAHS FAMILIES:
Beginning August 1st, state law requires all public schools in Maine to implement a Bell-to-Bell Personal Electronic Device policy that prohibits the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day. Gardiner Area High School is finalizing our procedures to align with this new state requirement, and we will be sharing more information with students and families soon. Thank you for your partnership as we work together to adjust to these new changes.
GAHS Summer Counseling Hours
¡Hola! Support our 2027 Galápagos/Ecuador trip by dining at Red Robin tomorrow (anytime)! Just show the attached voucher when you order. Thank you so much for all your support this year. Our high school students are excited for their adventure in April 2027! ¡Gracias por apoyar a nuestros estudiantes!
GAHS students wishing to check laptops out for the summer must complete paperwork for next year, either through MySchool Bucks or the paper form. All other laptops should be returned to the technology office when students no longer need them or after the last final exam. Details can be found here: https://bit.ly/GAHSLaptops
Dear Parents and Guardians of the Class of 2026,
Please click here to view a message from Mrs. Arnold, Principal.
Join us as we celebrate the Gardiner Area High School Class of 2026 one last time after graduation!
📅 Saturday, June 13
⏰ 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Waterfront Park, Gardiner
The evening kicks off with our Senior Parade at 7:30 PM, ending at Waterfront Park where the community is invited to gather for a fun celebration.
🎆 Fireworks
🎵 Live music featuring the Duke Dog Band
🌮 Food trucks
🎉 Activities, community fun, and more!
This event is open to the entire community. Come cheer on our seniors, celebrate their accomplishments, and help send the Class of 2026 off in style!
#GAHSTigers #ClassOf2026 #TigerPride
Yearbooks for sale! All high school yearbooks purchased have been delivered to Advisors. If you believe you ordered one but your advisor doesn't have one for you, go see K. Collins in Room 228. If you would like to purchase a yearbook, bring $65 (cash or check made out to Gardiner Yearbook) to K. Collins in room 228. We only have a few left! First-come, first-served!
Our students are making progress!
Every Voice Matters: Vote on June 9
On Tuesday, June 9, our community will have an important opportunity to help shape the future of our schools by voting on the proposed school budget referendum.
This vote is about more than numbers on a page—it is about investing in the students, staff, programs, and opportunities that make our schools strong and our community vibrant. The proposed budget is designed to support quality educational experiences, maintain essential services, and ensure that our schools continue to meet the needs of all learners.
Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. They help attract families, support local economic growth, and prepare the next generation for success. The decisions we make today will have a lasting impact on the opportunities available to our students tomorrow.
Whether you are a parent, taxpayer, staff member, alumni, business owner, or community supporter, your voice matters. Participating in the referendum is one of the most direct ways to influence the future of public education in our community.
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Together, we support our schools and our community. Together, we build a bright future.
Vote June 9. Every voice matters.
On Tuesday, June 9, our community will have an important opportunity to help shape the future of our schools by voting on the proposed school budget referendum.
This vote is about more than numbers on a page—it is about investing in the students, staff, programs, and opportunities that make our schools strong and our community vibrant. The proposed budget is designed to support quality educational experiences, maintain essential services, and ensure that our schools continue to meet the needs of all learners.
Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. They help attract families, support local economic growth, and prepare the next generation for success. The decisions we make today will have a lasting impact on the opportunities available to our students tomorrow.
Whether you are a parent, taxpayer, staff member, alumni, business owner, or community supporter, your voice matters. Participating in the referendum is one of the most direct ways to influence the future of public education in our community.
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Together, we support our schools and our community. Together, we build a bright future.
Vote June 9. Every voice matters.
The situation at GAHS has been resolved, and there is no threat to students or the public. The lock- in has been lifted/stopped. Classes are in session and the lock-in is over. Thank you for your patience. 6/1/2026.
GAHS is currently in a brief lock-in today, June 1, 2026, to allow administrators to address a situation. During the lock-in, all students remain safely in the building, and learning will continue as usual. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all our students. An update will be provided as soon as possible. Lauren Arnold, Principal
Aligning Resources with Enrollment: Building a Sustainable Budget for MSAD 11
The FY 2026–2027 budget reflects the difficult but necessary work of aligning district resources with changing student enrollment while continuing to address rising operational costs. Over the past several years, MSAD 11 has experienced a steady decline in enrollment, resulting in fewer students to serve and changing demands across grade levels and programs. As a result, the district has carefully reviewed staffing, programming, and operational expenditures to ensure resources are aligned with current student needs.
Importantly, the proposed FY 2026–2027 budget includes no new positions. The budget focuses on maintaining essential services while managing significant cost increases that are largely outside of the district's control. Rising health insurance costs, the State of Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave requirements, MaineCare SEED obligations, transportation expenses, contracted special education services, and substitute staffing all contribute to increased budget pressures. These required increases total more than $900,000.
To offset these unavoidable cost increases and maintain long-term financial sustainability, the district implemented staffing and organizational reductions across multiple areas of the school system. These decisions were not made lightly. Each position and expenditure was evaluated based on enrollment trends, student needs, operational efficiency, and the district's ability to continue providing a high-quality educational experience for students.
Throughout the budget development process, approximately $2.4 million in reductions were identified and incorporated into the budget. These reductions reflect the district's commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources while adapting to enrollment declines and fiscal realities. The goal is not simply to reduce spending, but to ensure that district resources are aligned with current enrollment and positioned to support students in a financially sustainable manner.
Key Message
The proposed FY 2026–2027 budget adds no new positions, addresses significant mandated and contractual cost increases, and aligns staffing and resources with declining enrollment to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of MSAD 11 while continuing to serve students effectively.
The FY 2026–2027 budget reflects the difficult but necessary work of aligning district resources with changing student enrollment while continuing to address rising operational costs. Over the past several years, MSAD 11 has experienced a steady decline in enrollment, resulting in fewer students to serve and changing demands across grade levels and programs. As a result, the district has carefully reviewed staffing, programming, and operational expenditures to ensure resources are aligned with current student needs.
Importantly, the proposed FY 2026–2027 budget includes no new positions. The budget focuses on maintaining essential services while managing significant cost increases that are largely outside of the district's control. Rising health insurance costs, the State of Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave requirements, MaineCare SEED obligations, transportation expenses, contracted special education services, and substitute staffing all contribute to increased budget pressures. These required increases total more than $900,000.
To offset these unavoidable cost increases and maintain long-term financial sustainability, the district implemented staffing and organizational reductions across multiple areas of the school system. These decisions were not made lightly. Each position and expenditure was evaluated based on enrollment trends, student needs, operational efficiency, and the district's ability to continue providing a high-quality educational experience for students.
Throughout the budget development process, approximately $2.4 million in reductions were identified and incorporated into the budget. These reductions reflect the district's commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources while adapting to enrollment declines and fiscal realities. The goal is not simply to reduce spending, but to ensure that district resources are aligned with current enrollment and positioned to support students in a financially sustainable manner.
Key Message
The proposed FY 2026–2027 budget adds no new positions, addresses significant mandated and contractual cost increases, and aligns staffing and resources with declining enrollment to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of MSAD 11 while continuing to serve students effectively.
MSAD 11 continues to operate as one of the lower-spending school districts in Maine when measured by resident expenditures per pupil. According to 2024–2025 Maine Department of Education expenditure data, MSAD 11 ranks 199th out of 261 school districts statewide in total per-pupil expenditures, meaning that 198 districts spend more per student and only 62 districts spend less.
Across individual expenditure categories, MSAD 11 generally ranks in the middle to lower half of Maine districts. The district's highest spending rank is in Student & Staff Support (75th), followed by Transportation (106th) and Other Instruction (116th). Expenditures for Facilities & Maintenance (127th) and School Administration (136th) are near the statewide midpoint, while spending for Special Education (167th), Regular Instruction (184th), and System Administration (220th) remains below most Maine districts. These rankings demonstrate a consistent pattern of fiscal restraint across major operational areas.
To provide additional context, MSAD 11's current spending levels were compared to neighboring districts using the district's enrollment of 1,718 students. If MSAD 11 spent at the same per-pupil rate as the statewide average, the district's budget would increase by approximately $6.36 million. Matching the spending levels of neighboring districts would result in estimated budget increases ranging from approximately $2.64 million to $6.51 million, depending on the district used for comparison.
These comparisons illustrate that MSAD 11 delivers educational services while maintaining expenditure levels that are significantly below many neighboring districts and below the majority of districts across the State of Maine. The data suggest that the district's overall spending profile remains comparatively conservative when evaluated on a per-student basis.
Across individual expenditure categories, MSAD 11 generally ranks in the middle to lower half of Maine districts. The district's highest spending rank is in Student & Staff Support (75th), followed by Transportation (106th) and Other Instruction (116th). Expenditures for Facilities & Maintenance (127th) and School Administration (136th) are near the statewide midpoint, while spending for Special Education (167th), Regular Instruction (184th), and System Administration (220th) remains below most Maine districts. These rankings demonstrate a consistent pattern of fiscal restraint across major operational areas.
To provide additional context, MSAD 11's current spending levels were compared to neighboring districts using the district's enrollment of 1,718 students. If MSAD 11 spent at the same per-pupil rate as the statewide average, the district's budget would increase by approximately $6.36 million. Matching the spending levels of neighboring districts would result in estimated budget increases ranging from approximately $2.64 million to $6.51 million, depending on the district used for comparison.
These comparisons illustrate that MSAD 11 delivers educational services while maintaining expenditure levels that are significantly below many neighboring districts and below the majority of districts across the State of Maine. The data suggest that the district's overall spending profile remains comparatively conservative when evaluated on a per-student basis.
Understanding How MSAD 11 Costs are Shared 06.01.2026
MSAD #11 Transportation Newsletter ~ June, 2026
Dear Students and Families,
This is a reminder that our Day of Caring event will take place on Tuesday, May 26. Students will be participating in service projects throughout the community alongside their advisors.
Please make sure students are dressed appropriately for outdoor projects and activities. We recommend comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and weather-appropriate layers.
If you have not yet completed the permission form, please do so as soon as possible using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ_m9nvQaqJxVQdz44FuwyC1a07YYA_J6pIVfx8ZBh_NiPUg/viewform?usp=dialog
Thank you for supporting this meaningful opportunity for our students to give back to the community!
This is a reminder that our Day of Caring event will take place on Tuesday, May 26. Students will be participating in service projects throughout the community alongside their advisors.
Please make sure students are dressed appropriately for outdoor projects and activities. We recommend comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and weather-appropriate layers.
If you have not yet completed the permission form, please do so as soon as possible using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ_m9nvQaqJxVQdz44FuwyC1a07YYA_J6pIVfx8ZBh_NiPUg/viewform?usp=dialog
Thank you for supporting this meaningful opportunity for our students to give back to the community!
On Tuesday, 5/26/26, students will participate in our Day of Caring service-learning event. Students will travel off campus (via MSAD 11 transportation) within the MSAD 11 community with their advisory from approx. 9:00–11:30 AM and return to school by 11:30 AM. This is a required school day activity. Students will receive 3 hours of community service.
Please complete the brief permission form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ_m9nvQaqJxVQdz44FuwyC1a07YYA_J6pIVfx8ZBh_NiPUg/viewform?usp=dialog
Thank you.
Please complete the brief permission form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ_m9nvQaqJxVQdz44FuwyC1a07YYA_J6pIVfx8ZBh_NiPUg/viewform?usp=dialog
Thank you.
REMINDER: MSAD 11 will have an early release day tomorrow, May 20, 2026. GRMS and GAHS will dismiss around 11:00 am, and elementary schools at 12:00 p.m. There will be no PREK classes.
Currently, there is no electrical power at the MSAD1 1 Central Office. CMP expects the power to be restored at 8:15 am.