FARMINGTON – The Mt. Blue Regional School District board discussed next year’s budget process and hired four education technicians for special education students at Tuesday’s board meeting.
This year’s budget process utilized the entire school board during the initial review, rather than a committee of directors. Board directors said they wanted the entire board involved from the beginning of the process, as they felt it improved transparency and saved time. Administrators, including Superintendent Thomas Ward, were concerned that some people was reviewing the entire, initial list of district needs and associated costs prior to board cuts, generating public discontent about hypothetical budgets that would never actually be passed.
Some directors suggested the administration provide two documents earlier in the process: a list of expenditures necessary to operate the district and a list of present or future needs. Providing administrator-recommended reductions or reallocations earlier in the process would lead to more productive board discussions, directors concluded.
The board also discussed additional ways to inform the public. Director Betsey Hyde of Temple said that the budget book provided to the town offices rapidly became out of date as line items were increased or reduced as part of the process, leading to confusion. Posting updated budget information via .pdf files hosted on the board’s website was one suggestion; another was to keep a running tally of board changes and display them with a projected image during the meeting. Along a similar vein, Director Keith Swett of Wilton asked that new, proposed expenses be tracked on a spreadsheet, with no positions or increases included automatically.
New contracts to be negotiated this year include the teachers and the administrators, Ward noted. That process would begin earlier than in past years, with an eye toward completing negotiations prior to the 2017 budget process.
The board unanimously approved the hiring of four ed techs for special education resource rooms at W.G. Mallett School, Cape Cod Hill School and Cascade Brook School. The ed tech II positions will be assigned to new students that have been identified as needing one-on-one assistance. The total cost of four positions will be $74,000.
The district has a contingency of $85,000 built into the budget for unanticipated costs, such as new students with special education needs. Director Craig Stickney of Chesterville suggested that administrators first look through salary accounts for savings that could be utilized to offset the costs. Savings could, for example, include those generated via the hiring of new staff members that receive a smaller salary than estimated through the budget process.
Progress is in place and this is encouraging. Thanks to the board members who have spoken up and realize the public’s awareness and concern over past budget process and spending. During negotiations for teacher and administrators’ contracts, and at the conclusion of the same, it will become very clear just how sincere everyone is about working together for a better and less extravagant educational program in RSU # 9. In light of the salaries paid to administrators this year, and to the step pay increases in the teachers’ contract, which are already in place, maybe it would be proper to skip a year. Maybe, those funds earmarked for raises might be better used in some other program for the kids!???
Shouldn’t the budget be set first, with the contracts negotiated depending on what money is available? You know like any organization that does not run what our administrators see as unlimited public funding? I feel being told that the negotiations are already set in stone every budget is a cop out.
I also feel last years budget may have passed , but by passing with only a handful of votes during a second vote it truly was a failure.
I predict the first budget attempt to fail again due to the refusal of our school system to listen to taxpayers, I mean how much clearer can we be?
Just some friendly information to share for those thinking teachers get paid enough as it is and that we have it so easy. Read this newspaper article or go to your local school and ask to volunteer and follow a teacher around for a day!
http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/26/business/maine-among-worst-places-in-country-to-make-living-as-a-teacher-financial-website-says/
@Mike: If you do not like the area and what it has to offer, and you feel you deserve more pay that isn’t provided, then why are you still here? Do us all a favor and take a hike to another district! That is unless you are not qualified to teach in another district. Just Saying!
@Hillbilly: Teachers work hard and long for the money they get. The demands on their time to be prepared for the classroom goes far beyond what many think is an easy daily schedule and a long summer vacation. Those notions are very faulty and your remarks are extremely rude.
Anonymity notwithstanding folks like “Hillbillly” really don’t offer too much more other then to articulate their own insecurities
@Mike…After reading that article it sounds like Maine is doing a good job education wise with what we have.
Great response Hillbilly! Immediately hit back with venom in your writing.
Someone shares actual, factual information, and you suggest they leave the area. Wonderful tone, nice ability to communicate your real feelings. Do you also tweet at 3:00 AM?
@Mike, paid enough for what? Are you able to pay your taxes? Feed yourself/family? Pay your bills? Or should you be driving a nicer car, living in a nicer home, eating better, more vacations, better retirement. Maybe look within your own system.
I think hillbilly offered some friendly advice….about as friendly as your ‘ information ” was offered.
Hillbilly’s response is an example of the feelings many of the people, especially taxpayers, have towards the school system which has through the years shown complete disregard for the pleas from a distressed public to please be more thrifty, frugal, careful with our money and show it by presenting a budget that doesn’t have to be voted down at referendum each year. Those reductions made by a show of public disapproval should have been in place from the start. The situation has reached a level of concern that is not going away! It will take time to heal the hurt done to so many, and that is shown in Hillbilly’s comment. Pay no mind Hillbilly and any others who get slammed ,we’ll have our day.
I am so greatfull that the school district has hired more ed tech’s! Teaching children with disabilities is so important for them to get a fair chance at a good education just like all children deserve! Since there is a shortage in the district I think it is a great to have four more on the team of amazing special ed teachers!!!
Maybe if everyone paid their fair share of taxes, there wouldn’t be such a burden on us. Maybe if everyone paid their fair share of taxes, we would have enough to run our schools. I don’t know about you, but I don’t call it “smart” to weasel one’s way out of contributing to education. Leona Helmsley once said, “We don’t pay taxes. Only little people pay taxes.” Well, I’m one of those little people and it makes me mad as !@!! that we are gouging our school budgets because of the tax burden and some people pay zero taxes for education (or anything else like our military, roads and highways, first responders, veterans’ care Etc.). Maybe we’d have enough money to fund our schools if everyone paid their fair share. Just Sayin’
Very well put Buckshot