DYER BROOK, Maine — The RSU 50 school board met Monday night at Southern Aroostook Community School in Dyer Brook to discuss several agenda items, mainly to merge policies of both Southern Aroostook and Katahdin into one unified procedure.
Those in attendance were Cynthia Bartman, Barbara Burton, Jeff Hardy, Craig Hartsgrove, Rhoda Houtz, Chairman Philip Knowles; Superintendent Larry Malone, Kimberly Lane, Peter Main, Mary Moore, Constance Theriault, Scot Walker and Stephen Walker. Absent were Leslie Gardner and Leanne White.
Committee member Moore reported that the buildings and grounds committee discussed having one person as a mechanic for buses in both schools; roofing for all three schools (Southern Aroostook Community School, Katahdin elementary and high schools); possibly one person ordering supplies for both schools; and discussion of having all high school students in one school in the future.
“An update on the roofing, we have contacted some roofing companies,” said Malone. “We have one that will come and do an estimate to give us the ballpark of what it will cost to repair all of the roofs. We also had conversation around what it would cost to do sections. We know we have an issue at Katahdin Elementary right now. We have a couple or rooms leaking, the cafeteria being one. They are all at a point where they need to be repaired.”
Malone also noted talking with the town managers, they would like to meet with a few members of the facility committee to discuss the needs of all the buildings in the RSU.
“The conversation around [town managers visiting the sites is to decide] where do we want to put our funding,” explained Malone. “The idea is to get you [the board] some real numbers of what it will cost to put the two facilities together and through the budget process, you can make decisions on what you want to do.”
Chairman Knowles pointed out that those decisions will not be made quickly, as the school board, town managers, selectmen and the public will get together to discuss options available.
“We aren’t talking about moving anyone at all,” said Knowles. “But, we need to start looking at our buildings, our roofs, sections of roofs and our future.”
It is hoped that at least one selectmen from each town, if not more, will be able to come to the budget workshop meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 1 at Katahdin Elementary School in Stacyville.
Basically, the RSU school board is looking at various items to save money in a tight economy.
“Obviously, part of the conversations that are happening are a result of budgetary constraints,” explained Malone. “We don’t know what bills are going to be passed, but we do have to have some conversations about how are we going to make adjustments for what does pass. It is very clear that committee members are concerned about the impact on the loss of revenue to the municipalities, in regards to, what that is going to do to tax increases, as well as what can happen in regards to the school district.
“I can tell you, the current budget involved very little capital improvement money,” he added. “So, projects such as repairing roofs and so forth, will be money added to the budget. Unless the communities of the RSU are supportive of an increase in local funding in the school budget overall, decisions would have to be made on how we do things differently in order to sustain all the educational opportunities and where are all the impact areas you look at.”
As the board goes through the budgetary process, Malone noted that impact areas would be brought to their attention, which will be recommended by the facility and buildings and grounds committees, so the board would be informed on where to provide cost savings.
“There are still a lot of unknowns,” said Malone, “but, we are also building in preparation for the ‘what ifs.’”
Cindy Bartman inquired about the roof at Southern Aroostook Community School having a “life expectancy” for 20 years.
“It’s been almost 20 years,” said Malone. “It’s 17 or 18 years old. It doesn’t leak everywhere. But, there are some areas that are really bad. We need to have a game plan on how we want to handle this and whether it is cost efficient to replace all the roofs.”
Malone also explained the capital improvement surveys need to be updated annually if the school board is going to ask the state for capital improvement funding.
“They have not been submitted recently,” he said.
Not knowing how far back it has been, “we are checking into the situation,” Malone added.
“It has been handled differently on both sides of the former districts,” he noted. “If we ask state to provide assistance, we need to stay on top of the surveys so it doesn’t get kicked back to us that we do not qualify.”
Knowles injected, since the consolidation, the board finally has time to look more indepth at bringing the two schools together on an administrative level.
“It has been run-and-gun,” he said. “Now, we are getting settled. I think things are going quite well for what we have to look at.”
Four RSU 50 board members will not return to the committee. Nichole Cullinan, an Oakfield board member, resigned, but serving out their terms were Hardy, Hartsgrove and Scot Walker.
“I am doing a lot more work and have taken a lot more responsibility, and the two are not fitting well,” said Hardy, who chose not to run and is completing his 15th year. “It’s been a privilege. I don’t have the energy or effort to be in two places at once. It is just too much all at once.”
Walker said he believed in term limits. He is coming off the board after five years.
“It’s time for someone with a fresh outlook,” he said. “Maybe again in the future.”
Thanking those he served with, Hartsgrove has finished his term.
“It’s been a pleasure. I think we have all worked pretty well together,” he said.
In other business, the board is still in teacher negotiations; tweaking policy wording; kudos were given to Katahdin High School for making significant gains in state graduation rates through the Department of Education, along with noting the RSU rates have also improved; and coming back in April for approval of joining the Maine Cohort for Customized Learning for curriculum development, as well as professional development, with cost based per pupil.
The RSU board also heard a request to practice more lockdown situations and to make one door the main entrance (with a secure locking system) during school hours, especially at Southern Aroostook; discussion on delinquent lunch payment, as a letter has been sent to those involved and if not paid, the bill will go to collections — however, students will not be denied a meal — but payment is expected; Judy Stevens submitted her official retirement letter; she has taught at Katahdin for 38 years; Jessica Price’s Katahdin art students’ work will be on display at the Bangor Mall through the end of March; and the 2013-14 school calendar was approved.
The next regular board meeting is Monday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Katahdin Elementary School.
