Superintendent Update
Weekly Update on the Budget and Snow Days
Budget Update
On February 17th the school departments around Maine received their EDU 279, which provides subsidy information to school districts. Due to the Governor’s Biennial Budget, L.D. 390, there were 48 changes to our subsidy, which accounted for a $280,000 loss. The EPS formula is very complicated and affects all aspects of school funding and these proposed changes should not have been implemented, as they have not been vetted in a public forum.
The Saco School Department brought in a flat budget to the Finance Committee and School Board, however we are still looking at a three million increase over last year’s budget. This is due to an increase in tuition by the Department of Education for Thornton Academy, K-8 salaries, and health insurance for all of our staff. The School Board and Finance Committee reduced the budget by $796,315. There are still so many unknowns in the budget process including what the legislature will do with the Governor's changes, what we can accurately report for revenue, as well as what the City Counselors will ask of the Saco School Department, which could include more cuts. The budget will be subject to change over the next several months. The School Board votes on the school budget March 8th at the required Public Hearing. The School Budget is due to the City on March 10th and there is a proposed workshop with the City Council on March 13th, where it becomes part of the City Budget.
Here are the following cuts:
Restructure of Central Office
9 Regular Education Technicians throughout the district
Alternative Education Teacher
Curriculum Director
Before and After school Reading Programs
Resource Officer
4 Special Education Technicians moved to Local Entitlement Special Education Grant
Professional Development for Educational Technicians
No van, tables, carpet, small projects or capital improvements
No new Bus
These proposed and possible future cuts will have a devastating impact on the students and the community of Saco. We have a rigorous Strategic Plan where we want to close the achievement and opportunity gap and to provide our students with 21st century skills.
Snow Day Survey Update
The survey came back with 222 responses. The number one answer with 65% of the vote is to use March 24th as a student day. The second most popular response with 39% of votes was to use Friday, April 14th as a student day. The third most popular vote with 18% of votes is to do nothing and add on to the school calendar in June!
As our leadership team and teacher union make further decisions we will keep you posted.
Blue Ribbon Commission report released – February 15, 2017
The Commission To Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine, better known as the Blue Ribbon Commission, has released its first report outlining recommendations that will be further explored as the commission continues its work in 2017.
The commission has been charged with identifying ways to lower the cost of education and improve student performance.
Its work this year will be devoted to exploring each recommendation in more detail, including detailed cost analyses and implementation strategies. MSBA and MSSA are represented on the commission by Oxford Hills Supt. Rick Colpitts. The report was unanimously supported by commission members.
To read the full document please read below