Staff Writer
Although the four budgets affecting education in School Union 122 have been approved, the process involved cuts that included loss of jobs as well as decreased hours for other employees. The union is composed of the towns of Stockholm, New Sweden, Westmanland and Woodland. The union’s schools are located in New Sweden and Woodland, with students from the remaining towns bussed to neighboring schools for classes.
Preparing the budgets this year, which included an additional “validation” vote taken by the towns, was the most difficult that Superintendent John Hedman has seen in his 32 years of educational involvement either at the school or municipal level.
A combination of less state subsidies, increased fuel costs and educational costs resulted in staffing changes in the superintendent’s office and at individual schools.
At the union level, Hedman’s job was reduced to half-time. In addition, the position of curriculum coordinator and special education director, held by Paul Swanson, was eliminated. Swanson’s duties will be combined with Hedman’s responsibilities for a total savings of $60,000.
In New Sweden, a 23 percent decrease, or $157,000, in state funding and increased fuel costs caused the local School Board to make several changes.
The half time principal position was reduced to 30 percent. A half-time team teaching position and 4/10 of a technology teaching position were eliminated.
The total New Sweden school budget is $1.2 million, down by $80,250 from last year. However the amount to be raised in taxes will rise by $14,430, from $177,816 up to $192,242.
“This is most drastic change in the New Sweden school budget I’ve ever seen,” Hedman said last week.
Woodland also suffered from budget woes. The school principal position was reduced to half-time and a full-time technology teaching position was eliminated, according to Hedman.
One educational technician position was not refilled due to a resignation, while a cooking position was reduced from 30 to 10 hours.
A fulltime reading-literacy position was cut to half-time.
Although the total 2008 budget of $1.8 million was down from the previous $2 million spending plan, the town will see an increase in the local tax commitment. Last year, the town raised $364,021 for education and this year a total of $404,021 will be required.
Increased educational costs and the cost of fuel and transportation boosted the budget by about $300,000.
Hedman said officials need to continue to look for ways to trim the budget.
A seven-hour contract with the Aroostook Mental Health Center for the New Sweden and Woodland schools also was eliminated, according to Hedman.
In Stockholm, where there is no operating school, the state subsidy increased by more than $33,000 to fund a total budget of $453,968.
“Out of all four towns, that’s a significant increase,” Hedman said. “They’re the only ones that are blessed.”
Local taxes for education are expected to decrease from $90,396 to $75,653.
Westmanland’s total budget is $61,563, down from $67,124 last year since there are fewer students for whom tuition is needed. The tax rate is expected to remain the same for the small community.
