RSU 73 directors make cuts, send budget back to voters
RSU 73 directors vote to make additional cuts and send the budget back to voters for a third try. At the head of the table is board Chairwoman Denise Rodzen of Livermore Falls and Superintendent Robert Wall.
LIVERMORE FALLS - Hoping to pass a budget on a third try, the RSU 73 board majority voted Monday night to cut another $145,467 from the $18.7 million budget total.
On July 24, residents in Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls voted 346-469 to not validate the results of the July 10 budget meeting, where attendees passed the $18.73 million budget proposed for 2012-13 by the school board and administration. That budget was the second defeated at referendum, with residents voting against validating the first budget 642-734 on June 12. A total of $282,000 had been cut out the original, $19 million budget proposed by the school board at the beginning of June.
After Monday night's special school board meeting where directors voted 8-3, with Chairwoman Denise Rodzen of Livermore Falls, Vicki McLeod of Jay and Darcie Comstock, also of Jay opposed, to cut another $145,467. To date a total of $428,748 has been cut from the total budget, which now stands at $18,589,603. The three directors had attempted to cut more - a total $206,286 from the budget.
The board also approved warrants for a public budget meeting to be held 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Spruce Mountain Middle School and the validation referendum to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 21 in Livermore, Livermore Falls and Jay.
The latest round of cuts are for a half-time secretary at $23,427; half the funding set aside for transitioning the two high schools together expected by June 30, 2013, which left $56,521; a three-fifths alternative education social worker at $32,505; and a north campus alternative ed tech at $21,452. Also cut were $35,000 in diesel fuel, $3,000 for business office supplies, $41,890 in insurance changes. All of the positions cut were currently vacant.
The school board discussed more than 20 proposed cuts that totaled $335,089 and included all co-curricular field trips, eliminating the pre-kindergarten program that currently serves 80 students, a middle school ed tech position, the Jay Elementary School library book budget, the high school and middle school varsity and junior varsity stipends for coaches. Additionally proposed was cutting the elementary schools activity budget, along with the middle and high school drama budgets.
The board discussed, along with a few residents and school administrators the need not to "hurt the kids" by cutting programs that would directly effect the educational service to its students.
More discussion centered on the possible reasons why the voters rejected the budget twice and by a greater margin, but fewer voters turning out the second time around after initial cuts were made to the budget.
Rodzen said comments posted on the Daily Bulldog showed voters were mad that the high schools weren't under one roof yet and that they were never told the consolidation of the two schools required a $5 million addition to the Jay High School.
Resident Jean Richards attending the meeting asked "Were we told?" during the consolidation process that the high school students from two campuses couldn't fit onto one campus. "Was it stressed," he said.
"It was addressed where to put all the kids," Rodzen said and added she was disappointed so much attention was paid to merging the sports teams. "We're trying to get the kids together so it won't cost as much as a $5 million or $7 million addition." Voters rejected the addition proposal in May.
Currently, a committee is studying the best way to merge the two schools together. Part of the original consolidation agreement holds that the schools must merge by June 30, 2013.
As things stand now, "It's not realistic; we can't put all the students together on the same campus," Rodzen said. In response to voters' complaints that the consolidation was supposed to save money, Rodzen said the budget of the first year was for two school systems, the current second year is a better indicator of what it actually costs and all along the savings of having one high school was expected to come in the third year of consolidation after Livermore Falls High School closes for an estimated $659,000 in savings.
Complicating all of this is the state and federal cuts of the last year. With a combined total decrease of $700,000, both from federal stimulus funding ending and continued state cutbacks, the next round of cuts will effect the students, directors noted.
"If we said next up there would be no football in the fall, we'd get a passed budget," Rodzen noted.
Superintendent Robert Wall urged the vote to go forward with as little effect on the students as possible.
"Let's take the risk of a third vote passing and move forward. It's important to get this right so we don't lose service to students," he said.
"Voters have only one question: Do you or do you not want to educate your children?" Rodzen said and added, "(It's) not are you mad about the addition; it's not are you mad that the schools aren't under one roof."
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Nothing was said about cutting from the Administration.The central office has added staff since the consolidation. To be successful we must cut from the top.
Last night the school board repeatedly defended the lie that the superintendent told us there was enough room at Jay for all the students.
Typical, keep using the kids as pawns, take the field trips and other activities from the kids but still leave in the budget money for not yet negotiated PAY RAISES. Cut the administration in half and freeze the salaries until they figure out and deliver to the people and students what they promised.
The Supt. should be able to take a PAY CUT since he is already collecting a pension from the System and a great Pay along with that!!!
Enough is enough.
They have to stop being so greedy!
I'm not sure which comments they were reading, folks were more upset about the lack of leadership from the Super and the board than having students in one building. Jay teachers and parents have been saying it for years, now the old sad 36 gets to see the lack of leadership in person. I'll bet if you started the process of hiring an educational leader, who could bring both systems together, a budget would pass. And an extra $7 million in spending is too much when we're supposed to be holding the line.
I agree with Ken Perry. If the superindent is drawing retirement but is still working as the superindent why should he draw two pay checks? If you retire then you should not return as superindent and draw another pay check. It is not fair to the state or the taxpayers. I do not live in any of the towns listed but Farmington basically has the same situation. It is wrong if you retire and still want to work get a different job in a different line of work or volunteer at the schools.
Jay and Livermore schools have football teams !? Now I've heard it all. Mrs Rodzen is right, seems like kind of a no brainer to cut that expense out.
it is about time we think about the towns people and the taxes, not just about our students.
there is a limit to how much we can pay for schools when a lot of people are out of work and a lot of our residents of the three towns are the elderly.
no raises for the ones on social security.
cut the adminastation budget.
Jay and Livermore Falls have always had football programs, that shouldn't be a surprise. I agree, start talking about cutting football, and you'll get the budget passed. There is talk about cutting programs like golf, tennis, and track and field. How much money does that really save us? Cut football and you'll start to see some real savings. It's about time that the voters start to realize that these programs are not getting any cheaper, and if we want to keep them we'll have to suck it up and pay for them.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see any athletic program cut. More importantly though, I don't want to see the educational programs get cut. I would rather get over the hump caused by consolidation and move on. We have to spend some money now to save it in the long run.
One of the biggest concerns I have as a citizen and about the budget is the bloated administration. I must admit that I may have my facts messed up, but according to the original budget that was proposed, there was $8 Million approved for student instruction (7.5 Regular and .5 MM for other instruction. The budget also includes $1.6MM in Administration (1MM for School Administration and .6MM in System Administration. By my math, for every $5 in instruction, the system is spending $1 on Administration.
As a taxpayer, I would like to know how this compares to the statewide average. I think so far the boards have offered token cuts without making tough decisions. Instead of talking about eliminating sports programs, perhaps a "volunteer" coaching system could be put in place. It may not be true, as I don't follow the sports that closely, but the word on the street is some full time positions were created specifically for folks hired to coach sports last year.
Every administrative position needs to be looked at. I understand that every school probably needs a principal, but do they need an "Assistant to the Principal". What does an "Administrative Support Assistant" do at the North Campus? How about a "Dean of Students" at the South Campus? What do they do? How many other high schools have these positions. Guidance Counselors can't be shared? What about unfunded state mandated positions? Have those been looked at?
What is RSU 73 per student cost? How does that compare with the state average? How does that compare with schools of similar size? Is there a "line item" budget for review? What is the average administrative cost per student? How does that compare with RSU 73? Are these things the board has looked at?
I believe this is frustrating for everyone - and the board is working very hard, but they are not asking the right questions or making the tough decisions.
Did similar positions exist before consolidation?
The board has looked at that. RSU 73 pays LESS in administration costs than other districts of comparable size and make up.
The Dean of Students hav even eliminated and the ASA does the mundane administrative work, at mush less than an AP would make.
The EPS for administration has been looked at during may board meetings and budget meetings.
To all of the folks above with valid questions about where their dollars are spent:
Have you asked to speak with board members, school administrators, or the superintendent to get answers to those very questions? Have you requested a meeting or made a phone call? Sent a letter? An e-mail? Attended a board meeting? Spoken at that same board meeting? Some have. Many have not.
I see reasonable concerns in the above commentary and I didn't hear any of those questions levied at Monday night's meeting. None of them. (I heard others at the meeting and they were delivered in reasonable, rational ways. I respectfully disagreed with them.) I knew about the meeting a week in advance from reading an online newspaper -- I believe I saw it in several. Even if you could not attend, did you forward your concerns in writing to someone who can do something with that information?
I understand how people can be upset about top-heavy budgets or how administrative retiree "double-dipping" works.
Understand this: voting down this year's school budget will not fix that. At all. It will not. It will only hurt students, families, and the community as programs are eliminated, students receive a lesser quality education, after school activities and sports programs cease to provide alternative opportunities to hanging out and less savory pastimes.
The "No's" have requested additional cuts to the proposed budget twice. And they have received additional cuts to the proposed budget twice. I have been present. The board wants to protect student programs while making fiscally sound, long-term decision making, as best as they know how.
If you want double-dipping to end, contact your legislator's and get the state to act upon it.
If you want to find out exactly what school administrator's do, get on a phone, make an appointment, and find out.
If you want a different superintendent, tell your local school board member and make a case when the current contract is up for renewal.
At this point, voting "no" on the budget will not achieve any of the above stated goals.
Please, let's get the school year started and if change needs to happen, take the steps necessary to make it happen. It is hard work and if you feel passionately enough about it to jeopardize the opportunities and growth of our kids, then I've no doubt you feel strongly enough to roll up your sleeves and initiate change.
Well said Dan Ryder. It's time for the people who oppose this budget or the workings of the school district to not simply vote "No" but to provide specific items that the school board can take action on. It's also time that people read some of the information the Board has already put out. The RSU consolidation plan, approved by voters and available online to read, says that students will be under one roof BUT will require additional space be built/leased to do so AND that savings will realized in the year THREE RSU budget, NOT year one. Despite that, they have saved approximately $300K in this past budget which was more than swallowed up by the DECREASE of approximately $500K in state and federal funding.
If you don't like the RSU for some reason, then start the process of withdrawing, (other towns have).
If you don't like the leadership, start the process for finding new leaders (some already are).
If you don't like the fact that there are two high school campuses, show the school board the way to fit all of the kids under one roof (and fund that solution what ever it may be).
Your NO vote on this budget accomplishes none of the above. Stop fooling yourself into thinking it does.
I'll be voting NO. Too much administration and poor leadership. I never thought I'd hear myself saying this, but I miss RSU 36. RSU 73 is MORE expensive, has LESS choice for students, and has become a boondoggle. The only chance the school district has for success is to eliminate holdover leadership, and start from scratch with folks that have some vision, and no attachment to the past. The board's job is to do this, but they have no desire to do it. As near as I can tell, the only thing they have done is eliminate vacant positions - and those positions actually help the students.
I will speak by voting NO. People don't speak up because the administration and the board will not listen. The kid's will be fine and the school will continue to operate on the budgets that will keep failing. That is how the law works. The only thing a NO vote does is send a "no confidence" vote from the citizens to the administration and the board.
If the Superintendent were an elected position, would he win?
Dan Ryder, you are wrong!!!
We will keep voting no till the school board gets it right.
They still don't get the message that we need a different superintendent now, now, now, do you hear us????
I agree that education is more important then the sports and the field trips.... BUT..... with all the technology and everything we have now adays, the sports is most likely the only thing that gets these kids active. AND it use to be something to be PROUD OF ! ! As far as the field trips, what are all the fund raisers that these kids drag home to sell for? I strongly believe that some of the field trips are the one thing that drives these kids to prosper thru out the year. Gives them the drive to stick to their studies, attendance, and better behavior... okay.... so lets take that away from them. I love how the football programs are what gets attacked with every school in trouble. Just very frustrating. Again, education IS of importance... but we cant always take away kids happiness. We will end up with one of those schools that police have to monitor the halls all day and how many kids will be out running the streets after school.... I know thats where all the comments back to me are going to be "parents take care of your kids".....
We do NOT need a new super. Dr. Wall has done everything right, and despite the fact that he receives his salary plus his retirement, he is one of the lowest paid administrators in the state. Sure, get rid of him, but be prepared to pay an extra $50,000 for someone more expensive. That's not going to save anybody any money.
Complain all you want, but voting down the budget until they "get it right" is the most ignorant thing I've ever heard. Every time you vote it down, the board is forced to cut funding and programs for our children. For me, getting it right would be dumping another million into the budget, and helping the kids to blossom. If you keep cutting the funding for the CHILDREN, you keep hurting their chances of success.
And if you think there's a better way to get it done, it is your responsibility as a citizen to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. And voting "no" over and over again does not count.
Also, there IS enough room at the North Campus for all students, once the unused space at the Middle School is converted into classroom space.
Notice I said North Campus and not Jay Campus. We are one school unit, people. This ridiculous rivalry between Jay and Livermore Falls has got to stop. It is juvenile and we are above it.
Thank you Dan and Jeff for your constant support AND level headed comments.
Please, if ANYONE has concerns call a board member. That's the only way we'll get the message. Using the comment section of the Bulldog with an alias isn't the way to reach the board members. Call central office and they will give you the phone number for the board member of your choice.
The no votes forced the dIscussion and got people to voice their feelings and thinking. That alone is a good thing, let alone getting the school board to cut a few costs.
Most people fear sharing their opinions out of fear of something negative happening to themselves,family, job, and or property. It is just residue from past experiences.
That is why letting people speak anonymously posting to the Bulldog is better than other forums.
Plus if you attended the budget vote before this last no vote, you would have noticed that when the votes were made by raising your hand only 5sh people voted no on anything.
When the vote was taken by secret ballot the no votes were 12.
That just shows to me that some people feel a certain way but need to go along with their co-workers and or supervisors when the vote is open. There weren't many non school associated people at the budget meeting.
Please don't let the fear mongers try to scare you into voting one way when you feel you want to vote another.
The school will get funded no matter what.
That is how it worked the last time Jay said no to the budget and it will be the same way this time.
The no's can only force corrective action, and I feel, that is what the no's want, honesty, corrective action, the best possible education that is affordable, not destruction.
LOL
I really needed a good chuckle with the " dump another million" comment.
Thanks
M
Michael,
Please correct me if I am wrong -- I am hearing you say that people are voting "no" and hiding behind pseudonyms online because they fear retribution from the school system and supporters of the school.
And at the same time they want "honesty."
They honestly believe that people who support schools are a threat. A physical, emotional, or financial threat. I assure you, I have little upper body strength, I have piles of my own issues to work out, and I'm not exactly in a position to buy and sell people. No threat here. (I can't speak for some of my neighbors, but the ones I know aren't exactly bantam fighters or venture capitalists.)
Residue from what, exactly? From the terrible history of union vs. non-union labor at the local mills? Are we continuing to allow those dark times then to hurt our students and community now?
With the sarcasm and glib comments out of the way, can we please allow cooler heads to prevail here?
The school year can start without a passed budget. If my understanding is correct, the district would work on borrowed funds for which they must pay interest, ultimately costing everyone more.
And let me please reiterate: voting "no" will not change the leadership of the district. There is a process for that and I implore those of you who feel strongly enough about that to hurt our students and communities to get out there and start that process.
There are now anti-bullying programs in the school, now. Perhaps they should have been started many years ago.
The super is hired by the school board. The School board works for us. When we vote the budget down because we want to cut admistration the school board should force Dr. Wall to do so. Period.
For people who don't feel that the school board is listening, go to a meeting or contact them. I've included a link with their contact information. Based on their comments from the meetings I gather they have heard people's dissatisfaction and are throwing their hands in the air begging for specific input on what citizens want done about it.
I want to clarify that my comments should not be construed as support for the superintendent nor condemnation, again that is a separate issue with a separate process.
Based on the some of the comments here and some from others at the meeting NO voters may find the proposals to swing in the other direction. Maybe we won't appease those who want cuts and start assuming that people want more money in the budget. At some point between costs of running another ballot and borrowing to start the school year the plans of these voters may actually cost us more.
The town hall meeting coming up is the step in the process where taxpayers can directly affect the amounts in the budget moving forward. To be frank, whether you feel that the board is listening or not, you have complete ability to override them at that meeting. So the outcome is ultimately yours. To see such wide votes of support at the meeting and the opposite at the vote is one thing, but to say they are railroading you and that they will "do what they want" ignores the process allowing citizens more say. You have a voice. Use it how you will. But don't pretend you don't so that you don't have to take an active role.
I'm glad when I see that more folks go to meetings, even if they don't share my views. It means people care and that they are willing to participate. Please do so in whatever way you see fit.
http://rsu73.org/board-of-directors/
Except that's not what you're doing. You're voting against paying for teachers, extracurricular activities, books, supplie, etc. Yes, administration is part of it, but please understand that there is a better way to go about this. Vote yes for the kids, then go through the proper channels if you're still determined to oust Dr. Wall.
You need to understand that your feelings or concerns about who is in the administrative role is a separate issue than passing a school budget. It is important to not combine the two issues and by doing so you mudding the waters.
I didn't vote as we were out of town and haven't been able to go to the meetings but I for one would like to see some positions cut, not extra curricular for the students. If there are 8-10 or less students in a class than those students should be rolled into another class room and the position gone. Some of the "feelgood" classed should be eliminated and more emphasis should be on core subjects so that students can read, write, and do math and science. All the high school students should be in one building-north campus-and perhaps the 9th grade should be put back in the middle school like they are in some other districts. Enrollment is going down each year and building an addition which will not be needed in a few years is a waste of money in my opinion.
Personally... It sounds like a lot of people on here are being selfish... obviously if you read the proposed cuts they are all cuts that affect the children directly not administration... that's NOT going to change so you can vote how you wish but remember who is suffering!