Update from SAD 4 directors
To the Editor;
After six months and three failed budgets, there is finally some good news for residents and taxpayers of SAD 4. The 2015-16 fiscal year that closed June 30th ended with a larger fund balance than previously foreseen. Applying some of that surplus to the loss of state funding for the upcoming year brings our total budget back down to $6.8 million for our 550 students. This budget eliminates any increase to taxpayers in four towns, and gives only a slight increase of about 3 percent for taxpayers in Parkman and Wellington.
Students at PCSS have the same course offerings as in the past. With staff cuts, some classes will be available only during certain semesters, but with careful scheduling no opportunities will be lost. This is possible due to the dedication of the faculty. Three teachers have taken on additional preps, teaching an overload in order to meet the needs of all students.
PCES met similar challenges with creative scheduling. One teacher of a multi-age group will loop with her students for a second year, where increased academic gains are typically seen.
While some class sizes have increased, overall class sizes remain small to average.
Building principals have worked diligently and creatively to start the year without a budget. Despite that uncertainty, they not only filled vacancies, but also deployed new MLTI iPadPros in grades 7-12.
This budget restores their 2 percent raise that had been cut in June. Quality leadership is too easy to lose, very hard to replace, and Maine is facing a shortage of administrators statewide. With the elimination of the curriculum coordinator, there will now be an assistant principal shared by the two buildings. This adjustment moves admin from the central office to the building level, to more directly support students through the many mandatory tests given from grades 3-11. Additionally, this assistant principal will serve as an activities coordinator to schedule and facilitate athletics and extracurriculars.
Our business manager has been restored to full-time; her work is largely responsible for the fund balance that has finally delivered some relief to taxpayers in this long budget process. Likewise, the transportation director, who has also been driving routes all fall, has been restored to full-time. Finally, the Board stipend of $25 per meeting has been restored. One or two vacancies last year have increased to four or five, at a time that we need experienced directors.
Even with these increases, the 2016-17 budget goes forward with a larger fund balance than we had last year. Just as the state builds its Rainy Day Fund, our district will be in a better financial position for future budget commitments with this financial reserve.
Compare this $6.8 million budget to SAD 68’s $10 million, or SAD 46’s $14 million, and you can see that our district is in line with today’s education costs. As a district, we must support our students and staff. Please attend the District Budget meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26th at PCES. Your “yes” vote on November 8th will make both our schools and community stronger.
SAD 4 Board of Directors
Corey Hill, Abbot
Holly Gifford, Cambridge
Cindy Hoak, Cambridge
Mike Chase, Guilford
Niki Fortier, Guilford
Brenda Gourley, Guilford
Dick Hunt, Guilford
Tom Cyr, Parkman
Sue Griffith, Parkman
Craig Lemieux, Parkman
Jim Bell, Sangerville
Joe Chadbourne, Sangerville
Sarah Brown, Wellington