MSAD #58 — The ebb and flow continue with discussion of the MSAD #58 budget. But recent news is in regarding revenue and board members can now roll-up their sleeves and start the debate. The answers to the questions from the last directors' meeting were unknown variables in the 2010 budget, which was the state share in education and how the subsidy formula would be affected when adding in nearly $260 million in state-wide funds under the economic stimulus bill. These funds will be calculated into the state revenue share over the next two years.

At the last MSAD #58 meeting, Superintendent Quenten Clark presented the expenditure side of the budget which represented fairly similar numbers to the previous year. The board will be meeting this Friday at Mt. Abram High School at 6:30 p.m. with some overdue news provided by the State Department of Education.

Last Thursday the DOE released a statewide report showing a vague idea of what the districts can expect.

Maine school systems will receive $959 million in 2010 which includes the funds from the stimulus package.

Clark said last Friday that he didn't think these figure included penalty money for the district being in noncompliance with the state consolidation law. That amounts in the case of MSAD #58 to $133,000 in lost revenue.

Some districts across Maine will see more revenue than expected, and even more than they received the previous year such as the Portland School District. According to reports, Portland will see nearly $2.6 million more then the previous years. Others such as MSAD #17 (Norway, Paris and Oxford) are shocked with a loss of nearly $800,000.

For some it might mean layoffs and reduced programs, for others it may come as great news with an opportunity to restore jobs and programs.

In appears that according to last Thursday's DOE report the state calculations show that MSAD #58 will receive about $200,000 less in state funds.

A variety of circumstances affect the state subsidy formula this year such as Eustis reaching a maximum threshold in valuation. About $90,000 in new stimulus money adds more in the calculations. Kingfield saw a huge spike in valuation which will slowly shift the financial responsibilities from Eustis to that town. Continued declining enrollment and other variables all affect the bottom lines for district towns.

Although Clark said last Friday that the blow to the district is less than he expected, directors will face the challenge this Friday on how to counter a potential $200,000 to $400,000 loss in revenue.

It is expected that one area of saving may come in the form of reducing nearly half of the district's principal positions and administration.

The recent announcement of Phillip's Principal David Crandall resigning, the retirements of Mt. Abram Principal Jeanne Tucker and MTA's Gary Perlson may create a balance. Instructor Steve Yates is also retiring and directors will debate who will be replaced, who will not and who will take the reigns of principal where.

Elementary principals may become teaching principals in the best case scenario. They may take on responsibility of the administration of two schools and the question of who will take over at MTA will be the hottest topic of Friday's meeting.

"I think that reducing administrators and taking principals out of the schools and all of this is not good, but this is the way that the state is heading," Clark said.

Clark explained that the current budget passed out at the last meting includes significantly reduced administration and currently includes one of the more expensive plans.

Clark explained that it's easier for board member to start high and work down.

The current plan calls for Kingfield Principal Brenda Stevens to take over at MTA with Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Jeff Pillsbury remaining in his current role.

Stratton Principal Lorrie Arruda will take over both Kingfield and Stratton. Strong Principal Felecia Pease would have additional responsibilities in Phillips, while at the same time having Clark take on added responsibility at the Phillips School as "super-principal" to some capacity.

The plans and debate will vary with ideas such as Arruda taking over MTA and Stevens adding the Stratton school to her daily responsibilities.

Other plans, although not yet a discussion at regularly scheduled school board meetings, includes an anticipated MTA staff recommendation. Clark said he'll present this plan to the school board on Friday. This plan includes Pillsbury as the MTA Principal. This might include an elementary principal to come over and be the AP/AD. Or there's a possibility that a current instructor may act as the AD/AP under the title of Dean of Students or Success Coach.

Not replacing retiring or resigning administrators will certainly put the budget in somewhat closer reach to being balanced, Clark noted. Balancing that budget will be up to the board for the most part at Friday's meeting.

The ebb and flow of budget concerns will continue in years to come. The penalty money may be lifted under a new administration in Augusta or under a referendum to repeal the consolidation law. Stimulus money will end in two years and it appears that valuation will continue to rise, while student population continues to decline.