Superintendent's Newsletter
Spring 2008
08-09 Budget News
The School Board is entering its final stages of discussion regarding the 08-09 draft school budget.
On April 30th the Board will approve the recommended budget that will go to a Budget Meeting
for citizen approval and then for a final vote from citizens on June 10th. There is still time for you
to voice your opinion!
Several factors are impacting the 08-09 budget process: the first payment of the voter approved
$10 million Upgrade and Renovation Bond and new State laws regarding consolidation and the
budget approval process. The bond payment will increase the 08-09 school budget by 3.89% without
any additional costs. Administration tried to keep the school increases as low as possible due to
the bond repayment. The draft budget put forward to the School Board in February contained a
1.84% increase in addition to the 3.89% bond payment. Included in the budget under consideration
by the School Board are the eliminations of three teaching positions and 4.5 special education ed
techs due to declining enrollments at the Middle School, High School, and the Special Education
Department. The Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor and a .5 secretary position at Central Office
were also eliminated to lower administrative and maintenance costs for the 08-09 school year.
The School Board is now in the process of reviewing newly proposed positions recommended by
the District Improvement Committee. Due to enrollment increases, two new second grade teachers
as well as a special education teacher at Dunn School were listed as priority additions to the 08-09
budget. A .4 Spanish Teacher was also added to continue the implementation of the Kindergarten
and First Grade Spanish Program. The Athletic Department asked that a freshman girls' basketball
coaching stipend be added, and the Maintenance Department proposed another custodial position at
the high school to help clean and maintain the additional new space currently under construction.
If these positions are approved, the 08-09 budget will increase by 1.13%.
Members of the community are proposing an after school activity bus ($27,349) for the Middle
School and High School. The football boosters are requesting that the District assume responsibility
for some of the expenses associated with the football team equipment ($5,922). The Board will
consider all requests before making their final 08-09 budget decision on April 30th.
In addition to the discussion and recommendations for additions and deletions to the 08-09 school budget, the State of Maine is requiring a new voting process this year. The budget will be approved through a Budget Meeting held at the Middle School. The tentative date is June 5th at 7:00 p.m. The budget will be developed through a vote on 11 cost centers (depending on the final outcome of the law, it could be 6). After the budget meeting, voters will go to the polls on June 10th and actually vote ‘yes” or “no” on the budget approved at the Budget Meeting. We know that citizens may be confused about these new rules, and we will inform you when the actual dates and process are confirmed. The legislature must pass the final law, and currently they are debating the changes.
On April 16th, there will be a Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. at the New Gloucester Meeting House. At this meeting the Board encourages the public to voice their opinion about the 08-09 budget. Most importantly, however, we need you to be present at the Budget Meeting tentatively scheduled at the Middle School on Thursday, June 5th, for the finalization of the 08-09 school budget. It is equally important that on June 10th you go to the polls for a final “yes” or “no” vote on the 08- 09 school budget. The MSAD #15 school budget is in your hands!
Consolidation Update
MSAD #15’s effort to consolidate with Union 29 (Poland, Mechanic Falls, and Minot) is currently on “hold”. As you may know, Union 29 and MSAD #15 formed a Reorganization Planning Committee to consider the formation of a new Regional School Unit (RSU). That Committee submitted a plan to the Commissioner of Education on December 1st. Later in December, Union 29 asked the Commissioner for approval to form its own RSU separate from MSAD #15.
Because MSAD #15 has no viable consolidation partner, the School Board asked the Commissioner of Education to approve our own Alternative Plan so that Gray and New Gloucester could form an RSU. At this time, the Commissioner has not made a decision about MSAD #15’s request to remain as an independent RSU. I will keep you informed.
Construction Update
In 2005 voters approved a $10 million Renovation and Upgrade Bond to improve our school buildings. This work is nearing completion. Visit our schools and see the difference your money has made! The work at the Middle School, Dunn School, Memorial School and Russell School is finished. The High School project is more complex but we are still hoping for a completion date by the start of the 2008-2009 school year. Occupancy permits for the east gym, locker rooms, new gym lobby entrance, new PE station, public bathrooms, and renovated industrial arts corridor have been issued. We hope that the main entrance and administrative space will be ready for occupancy within the next 30 to 45 days. Work has begun to renovate the west gym into the new cafetorium space. (Imagine our award winning high school plays performed on a professional grade stage!) Thank you to staff and students for their patience during this construction and to you, the taxpayers, for supporting the needed renovations and upgrades. Our students deserve it!
Calendar Update
Due to the abnormal amount of snow days required this winter, the Board of Directors voted to change the March 28, 2008 teacher in-service day to a full student day. Unfortunately, March 28th became our 10th snow day of this winter season! The April 18, 2008 teacher comp day was changed to a full student day at the K-12 level. If there are no more snow days, June 24th will be the last student day for grades K-11. This day will be an early release. High School Seniors have received a waiver from the Commissioner of Education, so graduation remains as scheduled for June 7th.