Dear Indian Township School Families and Community,
I am writing to share an important progress update on the transportation improvements we have been working on since this summer.
Progress to Date
I am pleased to report real movement on several fronts. We have purchased a new 12-passenger van, which will be delivered next week and will give us added flexibility for activities, transportation, and other student needs. We have also hired a new bus driver, and we are currently training a local tribal member to become one of our bus drivers as well, which will strengthen our capacity and our connection to the community we serve.
We also want to acknowledge the transportation challenges families are experiencing right now. Due to our limited number of available licensed drivers, we have had difficulty covering all regular routes, athletic practices, games, and other transportation needs. This has resulted in some last-minute changes and cancellations, and we understand how frustrating that has been for students and families.
Partnerships Making This Possible
None of this progress would be possible without strong partnerships. I am deeply grateful to Chief Nicholas and the Tribal Government for their continued support and collaboration as we work through these solutions together. I also want to recognize our partnership with Lee Academy and Headmaster Thurlow, whose cooperation has been valuable as we work toward better transportation solutions that support our students both academically and in their after-school activities.
What's Next
We are continuing to move forward, and I want you to know how much I appreciate the patience of our families and community throughout this process. To stay connected to how things are going on the ground, I plan to be at the school all day on Wednesday, October 14, to listen, observe, and see firsthand how these changes are supporting our students.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. I will keep you updated as we make further progress.
Warm regards,
Dr. Reza Namin
Superintendent, Maine Indian Education