HOULTON, Maine — If initial figures are any indication, taxpayers in RSU 29 could bear a larger cost to educate students in the next fiscal budget.
RSU 29 Chairman Fred Grant informed the board Monday evening that the initial figures from the state revealed the news was “not great.”
“The state has continued the process of shifting the cost of education to the local municipalities,” Grant said. “Overall, the funding for our district is down. Typically, we have seen that go the other way, with a slight increase year over year.”
“At this point the ED 279 is preliminary and it does show an impact of a shift from the state to the local,” RSU 29 Superintendent Mike Hammer added. “Overall, a reduction from the state in neighborhood of $300,000 and then the required local amount around $150,000 as assessment to the local share.”
The impact to the towns would likely be an increase of $300,000, Hammer noted. That figure, however, would be contingent on the board approving a “flat funded budget.”
One item that may help defray the local costs is the possibility of teacher retirement costs coming out of the next budget, which would save $217,000, Hammer added. A bill has been submitted to the state legislature, which would remove those costs from the local municipalities.
“It is going to be very challenging for our municipalities,” Grant said. “I am nervous about it.”
Meetings broadcast
Monday night’s meeting also marked the first time that an RSU 29 school board meeting was broadcast live on the school’s “Beacon” channel (13.1 on local cable service) and was also available to watch online at thecube.com.
“The broadcasting of board meetings was an idea that came out of the communication committee as another means to communicate all the positive things going on in our schools,” Hammer said.
Superintendent search
The board is continuing the process of searching for a new superintendent. Hammer announced he was resigning at the end of the school year during a Jan. 4 board meeting. He began his duties on June 21, 2011.
At a special board meeting Feb. 26, the group agreed to use the services of Maine School Management Association in the hiring process. MSMA assists with advertising, ad creation, screening applicants and the application process. The board set a limit of $5,000 for MSMA’s services.
A closing date of March 27 was set for the district to accept applications. The board will hold a special meeting next Tuesday at 6 p.m. to discuss the goals it wishes for the next superintendent.
The board held a lengthy executive session to discuss contract negotiations. Administrators’ salaries were approved with a 3 percent increase, with the exception of the Special Education director (5 percent) and Food Services director (9.4 percent).
A new teacher’s contract was also approved. Details of the teacher’s contract cannot be released, Hammer said, until the teacher’s union ratifies the contract.
The next meeting of the RSU 29 school board will be Monday, April 6 at 6 p.m.
