A change of name to RSU 5 Community Programs will help the Regional School Unit 5 organization create more awareness of its offerings and spawn new opportunities, as well, the director says.

David Watts said that the new name will replace the former name, RSU 5 Recreation & Community Education, when brochures are mailed to Durham, Freeport and Pownal residents in December. Superintendent Ed McDonough approved the new moniker, Watts said.

“Rec and Community Ed doesn’t say who we are,” Watts said. “There has seemingly been quite a bit of confusion – even within the RSU – as to what services we provide to the community and the relationships of our programs. Community Programs, as an umbrella, is more inclusive and will allow us more flexibility moving forward.”

Watts, who succeeded Mike Myers as director at the end of August, said it soon struck him that a change was needed.

“Everywhere I went in the schools and in the community, people didn’t understand everything that was under the guise of rec and community ed,” he said. “They were just thinking cooking classes and little kids’ soccer.”

Watts pointed out that the Port Teen Center, an after-school gathering place for teenagers at the Freeport Community Center, is a prime example of a program people did not associate with RSU 5. Laugh & Learn Childcare, a pre-school and after-school program, is another.

Regarding new offerings, Watts said, there is talk of a need for additional co-curricular high school and middle school after-school programs.

“This will be more inclusive and flexible,” he said. “There’s been so much confusion when I tell people about what we do that I said, ‘OK, it’s time.’”

Watts said that adult education is another important piece of the name change. People need to know what is offered, including the high school diploma classes, he said.

“It creates more awareness, but it also gives us flexibility when we think of expanding programs,” he said. “It also brings us more awareness of the after-school program, which is a not-for-profit organization. All this money goes back into the program.”

Watts said that RSU 5 Community Programs has a new English as a Second Language adult ed class, with seven students signed up. He also is looking into new partnerships with the business community, and is in conversations with the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce.