Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center hosted the second annual York County Legislative Summit in the Performing Arts Center on Thursday, November 14th, bringing together educators, legislators and community leaders to address the critical issues of student homelessness in the community and educational priorities for the upcoming legislative session..
The evening began with welcoming remarks from Carter Friend, CEO of York County Community Action, and Jeremy Ray, Superintendent of Biddeford and Dayton School Departments. Emily Flinkstrom, Executive Director of Fair Tide, then presented the Statewide Homeless Council's legislative priorities.
York County's specific homelessness priorities were outlined by Megan Gean-Gendron, Executive Director of York County Shelter Programs, who focused on shelter funding, street outreach support, and mental health services. The summit also featured presentations on domestic violence and homelessness by Susan Giambalvo of Caring Unlimited, and seniors experiencing homelessness by Megan Walton of Southern Maine Agency on Aging.
Sanford Superintendent Matt Nelson highlighted how the school department works to support students experiencing housing instability. "Every student deserves a stable environment to learn and grow," Nelson said. Currently, 725 students across York County schools face housing insecurity.
The summit focused on developing solutions through increased state support for transportation services for displaced students, mental health and counseling resources, emergency shelter funding, affordable housing development, and support programs for families at risk of homelessness.
The York County Superintendents Association emphasized that schools are often the first to identify and assist students in crisis. Our district works together to provide educational support, nutrition services, and mental health resources to students across the county.
Following the main presentations, discussions continued in Sanford High School's Agora, where attendees enjoyed dinner prepared by students from Sanford Regional Technical Center's Culinary Arts Program.
This portion of the evening, led by York County Superintendents, allowed for more in-depth conversations about educational priorities and how legislators and school departments can better work together to support students, school personnel, families and taxpayers.