By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
At the April 27 meeting of the Eastern Aroostook RSU (39) Frank McElwain, RSU 39 superintendent presented to the board of education members a proposed draft of the 2011-12 budget.
After highlighting a number of the cost centers within the proposed document McElwain asked the panel to consider approving the budget as a draft. RSU board members voted to unanimously accept the proposed budget.
The proposed 2011-12 RSU 39 budget totals $18,559,511, which, according to McElwain reflects a slight decrease of $1,977 from the 2010-11 budget. The proposed budget includes a request of an additional $211,727 in local tax effort. Due to increased state valuations, mils for education will remain the same at 9.16 mils.
In a message to the citizens of Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 (Caribou, Limestone and Stockholm) the board of education with McElwain offer the following remarks:
“We continue to be challenged by the loss of state and federal revenues. State revenues for 2011-12 have been reduced by $182,550. In addition, federal stimulus funds totaling $203,741 and Medicaid reimbursement funds totaling $100,000 have been eliminated.”
“The board has carefully examined our expenses to reduce the impact from the loss of funding while trying to maintain programming. The proposed budget includes reductions in supplies/equipment and staffing, including three full-time and two half-time positions. Although some of the positions were eliminated through attrition/staff transfers, others will result in individuals losing their jobs.”
“We are certainly sensitive to the financial strain that our recent economy has placed on all of us. This budget works to strike a balance between the financial capacity of the communities with our mission to meet the learning needs of students. We appreciate your support of our schools as we work to ensure the successful education of our students.”
Upon acceptance of the second draft (to be considered on May 4) approval of the school budget requires a two-step process. The first will be a district budget meeting which will be held on Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the Caribou Performing Arts Center. All registered voters of the three RSU 39 communities of Caribou, Limestone and Stockholm are encouraged to attend and vote on the school budget.
The second step is a validation vote that will be held on Tuesday, June 14 at the regular polling locations in each of the three communities.
In other business during the April 27 meeting, the RSU board considered and approved the following motions.
• To eliminate the technology teaching position at Caribou Middle School/Teague Park Elementary School due to changes in instructional needs and the reduced state revenue.
• To eliminate a half-time music teacher position due to changes in enrollment and reduced state revenue.
•To eliminate an educational technician position at Limestone Community School due to changes in enrollment and reduced state revenue.
• To eliminate the Performing Arts Center director position.
• To expand the kindergarten program in Limestone to a full-day program.
The following resignations were also announced: Michael Gardiner, technology coordinator; Susan Herold, strings instructor at Teague Park, CMS and CHS; and Kirk Cote, educational technician at Limestone Community School.
McElwain stated that Marie Strouse had been hired as track coach for LCS.
Other positions discontinued included two Ed Techs at Hilltop; two at the Caribou Learning Center and one at Teague Park.
In an energy project update, McElwain informed the RSU board members that lighting upgrades at the LCS were nearly finished and that the wood boiler in Caribou has been in operation for the past two weeks; solar panels to heat the wood-chip bin; the installation of a bulkhead door and the construction of steps will be completed in the near future.
The RSU Board of Education will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the superintendent’s office building to consider final approval of the 2001-12 school budget and authorization for : a warrant for the RSU 39 budget meeting; warrant and notice of election for the RSU unit budget validation referendum and notice of amounts adopted at the budget meeting.
