SAD 61 budget cuts

By Wayne E. Rivet
Staff Writer

They looked closely, but for the most part, they didn't like what they saw.

SAD 61 directors Monday night were presented a third list of possible areas to cut the proposed Òno growthÓ $25.8 million budget, but found the reduction of $154,000 either too dramatic or too uncertain.

After hours of explanation and debate, directors created a "pick list" of cuts, $31,100 from List 3 added to previous cuts of $584,000 and $122,474.

As it stands right now, a total of $737,574 has been cut. Additional money could be trimmed if various unions approve other reduction items.

The total proposed general fund budget is $25,107,353. Take away $232,685 as the result of a reduction to adult education, the 2010-11 budget proposed is $25,340,038.

Superintendent Patrick Phillips opened the budget workshop by telling directors that the latest round of proposed reductions "were not being recommended by administration," but were areas to explore.

"We work for you, and you have some tough decisions to make," Phillips said. "These are bad choices either way. They will impact students and services."

Before discussing the latest cut list, Phillips said closure of Sebago Elementary was off the table, at least for next year. SAD 61 lacked the time needed to meet state requirements to close a facility.

Items considered included:

• Pay to participate, $25,000 savings: Many districts charge a participation fee for both athletics and co-curricular activities. Cape Elizabeth charges a $125 annual participation fee per student. Falmouth, which has a varied fee schedule, is considering a four-level tiered system (ranging from $125 to $350 Ñ that high fee for high school football, hockey and alpine skiing) for both middle and high school participation. Schools that do charge fees include Freeport, Gray-New Gloucester, Greely, Poland and Traip Academy. Western Maine Conference schools that do not charge a fee include North Yarmouth Academy, Sacopee Valley, Waynflete, Wells, Yarmouth and York. Lake Region charges for ice hockey and lacrosse, while Fryeburg Academy seeks fees for alpine skiing and ice hockey. Participation fees would be charged for both sports and co-curricular programs such as Drama Club, for which a coaching/advisor stipend is paid. Athletic Director Paul True told directors he would be "very uneasy" about setting fee amounts right now without more investigation. Several directors questioned the ability of many parents to pay such a fee, considering the rising number of households that are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Directors doubted savings could really be achieved here.
  Decision: Item rejected.
  True is also developing a policy regarding establishing minimum numbers for LRHS to offer a sports or co-curricular program. If numbers drop below a certain level over a period of time, the program would be cut.
• Teacher workshop days: SAD 61 has built into the budget seven teacher workshop days used for professional development, while the state requires just five.
  Decision: Item rejected, 5-4 with 1 abstention.
• District-wide curriculum: A reduction of $11,000 for this line.
  Decision: Item rejected, 6-3 with 1 abstention.
• Middle School summer school: If he had to choose between the two, LRMS Principal Peter Mortenson would prefer to keep the Student Support System, which assists students throughout the school year with extra help and remedial work, rather than Summer School, which also focuses on improving educational skills. Mortenson said an average of 30 students take part in Summer School.
  Decision: Rejected, 7-2-1.
• High School summer school: Director Phil Shane questioned if middle and high school Summer School programs could be combined? No. Different philosophies. High school is "credit based," as students work to pass subjects needed to graduate. LRHS Principal Roger Lowell said about 70 to 80 students attend Summer School each year, taking a total of 110 courses. Lowell noted that the district could charge for the Summer School program, which it did at one time. He saw no real drop off in attendance when a fee was attached, and felt that there might be greater incentive to pass courses during the school year rather than pay later.
  Decision: Rejected, 5-5 deadlock vote, weighted vote resulted in defeat of the cut, 394-371.
• Life Skills program, $11,500 savings: Special Ed Director Lisa Caron said this position can be funded by a one-year grant.
  Decision: Approved, 9-1.
• Crooked River custodian: Reduction of hours making the position a school-year-only job. Hours required during the summer months would be covered by other maintenance workers on a rotational basis.
  Decision: Rejected 6-3-1.
• Maintenance truck: A "light winter" leads Director of Transportation, Maintenance and Food Service, Andy Madura, to believe he can get another year out of some maintenance trucks, rather than attempt to purchase one or two replacements through the state's surplus vehicle program.
  Decision: Rejected.
• Literacy specialist, $2,600: Reduce the eight days above the teacher contract.
  Decision: Approved.
• Middle School guidance secretary, $2,000: Reduction to five hours per week. This position was added last year.
  Decision: Approved, 6-3-1.
• Middle School librarian, $15,000: Change from a "degreed" librarian to facility supervision by an educational technician, who would be directed by district-wide librarian, Debbie Gahm.
  Decision: 7-2-1.

A public hearing on the proposed $25.3 million budget will be held on Monday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at Lake Region High School.

Wednesday budget talk

The first cut produced reductions totaling $584,000.

The second cut suggested a decrease of $122,000. Directors took a closer look at targeted areas last Wednesday night.

They included:

• $100,000 by cutting 2.5 teachers. One teacher would be eliminated at Stevens Brook Elementary, mainly based on declining enrollment in the upcoming fourth grade; a teacher would be eliminated at Songo Locks, likely in the Grade 2 area. The result would be larger class sizes; a half position would be eliminated at the high school. Actually, a half position was eliminated in the first round of cuts. LRHS Principal Lowell could either cut one teacher or keep two half-positions. He will make a determination once he sees projected class enrollments. Students will complete course registration by March.
• The new round of cuts eliminate middle school stipends for the Math Team and spring play. Officials say there is no move to eliminate the play, but some fundraising may be needed fund the position.
• High school co-curricular programs to be axed include fall cheering along with the junior varsity Nordic ski coach. Varsity ski team programs will continue, but a coaching stipend will be split between the two sports (participation numbers have been very low over the past few years).
• A Drama Club coordinator stipend was eliminated. Director Janet Ver Planck noted that the Drama Club director receives a stipend, while the choreographer is paid through gate proceeds. "The Drama Club is pretty self sufficient," Ver Planck said.
• Bus safety training, reduced to during the school year only. Andy Madura and Bruce Harmon will pick up additional training needed in the summer.

Why wasn't "the pain" distributed evenly in Round 2, some directors asked? Superintendent Phillips said reductions were divided equally in Round 1, but when administrators were asked to cut an additional $122,000, officials sought areas that could be trimmed with the least impact on students and programs.

"You hate to cut deeper into the education of our children, but these were areas we, as administrators, felt we could live with," Phillips said.

Officials looked hard at each line, and weighed impacts. For example, one item was the late bus. While the state's Essential Programs and Services funding model does not recognize the need for such transportation, SAD 61 officials highly value the program.

"We have a number of kids trying to reach the highest standard, and to achieve, they may need to stay after school. Many students need a way to get home, and the late bus is their only option," Phillips said. "From my understanding, this service is being used well."

While Darlene Perry fully understands the financial position SAD 61 is in, she hopes there is a way to avoid reducing education technicians' days by a half-hour. This reduction, officials project, would save $100,000.

"I don't envy your position," said Perry, who is president of the union, which represents over 50 ed techs. "Losing a half hour each day would be a 6.5% loss in their gross pay. That's a lot! It's a big hit. Perhaps another furlough day might be a better solution? We're also concerned about the impact it will have on children."

A hike in health insurance could add $200,000 to $300,000. Officials have budgeted for a 10% hike, but no firm number will be known until later. Director Shane questioned money was built in the budget elsewhere to cover a higher premium. When SAD 61 faced a $334,000 curtailment last year, officials had to "change priorities" and make cuts.

"This is why my blood pressure goes up this time of year. One of the things we struggle with is not knowing what health insurance costs will be or Medicaid reimbursement, yet we need to develop a budget with firm figures," Superintendent Phillips said. "We do our best to guess what those costs might be based on current information and then must live with the consequences down the road. It's unfortunate, but it is the best we can do."

Three of the four district towns no longer are eligible for state subsidy, due to high property valuations. Shane asked if his town derived any benefit for receiving $800,000 in state subsidy. The answer is "no," according to Phillips. Those funds are placed in SAD 61's subsidy account, which benefits the entire district.

A motion was made by Bridgton Director Jodi Gray to seek an additional $100,000 in cuts.

"I may not be able to live with those cuts, but I would like to see what it would look like," she said.

The motion was rejected by a 5-4 margin.

Reaction to where the budget stood brought forth varied thoughts.

Bridgton Director Laura Ordway asked taxpayers what they thought, and she received a less-than-enthusiastic response from some.

"Not one has supported what we're proposing, and some are advocating for more cuts," she said. Others, Ordway said, wondered what impact proposed cuts would have on children's education. While Ordway understands "it's painful for both sides," she can't see how SAD 61 can propose a 50/50 split Ñ over $1 million in cuts by the school system and an additional $1 million assumed by taxpayers Ñ and not hurt the quality of local education.

Sebago Director Richard Merritt said it would be "shameful" for the school board to present any budget other than a "split check." Merritt called into question the ability of taxpayers to pay more than half of the bill in light of double-digit unemployment, housing foreclosures and rising health insurance costs.

"People are strapped," he said. "They are having to make cuts at home, and we need to do the same here. We're all feeling the pain. Who is going to bear the brunt of it? Asking the taxpayer to pick up more than half is wrong."

Naples Director Janice Barter pointed out that SAD 61 has presented "flat" budgets since 2005-06. "We're doing more with less, and I don't feel we can go with further cuts without hurting the kids," Barter said. "We have an obligation to our children."

What has kept SAD 61 afloat at a less than 1% increase over the past six years, Phillips said, has been cost-saving moves, including closing facilities and installing energy-efficient lighting systems as well as a pellet-fueled boiler at the high school.

Cutting over $700,000 has Naples Director Kenneth Brown concerned about "the type of education our children will get."

Follow Student Sports