PHILLIPS –- The MSAD #58 central administration office now has the proposed state subsidy figures for fiscal year 2010/11. Superintendent Quenten Clark reports that his district will see nearly $480,000 in subsidy loss as it nears budget talks for next year. This is added to nearly $85,000 in curtailments that occurred this year.

Many school districts are taking major hits with reductions, others vary in reduction amounts and some will even see added subsidy from the previous year.

Education Commissioner Susan Gendron had warned district superintendents that cuts were coming due to a loss in state revenue. Gov. John Baldacci has said he would make up for lost revenue by reducing subsidy to education and creating reductions in Health and Human Services.

The Department of Education respun its Essential Programs and Services formula to come up with anticipated figures for Maine districts. This has created some level of confusion. For example, Clark noted that MSAD #9 in Farmington is looking at a $2.1 million cut for next year. Portland, as he points out, is looking at an estimated $4.2 million in cuts and is much larger than twice the size of MSAD #9.

MSAD #74 in N. Anson is looking at a very similar subsidy cut as MSAD #58, but Jay is facing a potential $880,000 in reductions.

Coplin is facing just $1,800 in reductions while tiny Highland will be looking at potentially $42,000 less next year.

Some districts such as Auburn will see $380,000 more in state aide and Carrabassett will see nearly $1,000 added. Brewer can expect roughly $1.3 million more next year. Clark pointed out last week how the districts that consolidated “took it in the teeth,” with harsh reductions.

Although the MSAD #58 cuts were near what Clark expected, he did say that his school board will have to make some serious decisions ahead.

Getting out of the anticipated penalty for not consolidating would certainly help, but Clark expects the following year to be worse.

Continued state cuts are expected along with the loss of ARRA (federal stimulus) money which is expected to end. “I think the situation is grim. We will probably lose as much or more next year,” Clark said in an email.

Before the exact figures are determined, the legislature and other state agencies will review the situation and make recommendations.