Strong eighth grader Colin Mc- Carthy-Edwards waits for his turn to speak about concerns he has with the proposed MSAD #58 budget. (David Hart photo) SALEM –- The majority of last Thursday’s school board budget meetings focused on concerns from the floor regarding cuts in sports. Lots of discussions evolved around the possibility of eliminating junior varsity sports at the high school to save on the cost of coaches and officials. Receiving even more opposition was a proposed reduction which would create unisex middle school sports teams in an effort to reduce coaches.

Other concerns that evening had to do with the elimination of a halftime high school position that supports vocational students and promotes college preparedness for parents and students as well as other support services.

The proposed reduction of going from three full-time equivalent nurses in the district to two-and-a-half was also challenged. The MSAD #58 nurses presented a document to the school board which outlined the importance of not scaling back on school nurses next year.

The MSAD #58 School Board discusses the 2010-2011 district budget at a recent meeting in the Mt. Abram High School library. Seated (left to right) Alan Morse, Judy Dill, Jane Thorndike, chairman Mike Pond, superintendent Quentin Clark, Kim Jordan, Ellen James, Ann Schwink, and on the television monitor, Sue Fotter who attended the meeting from Florida with the help of the district's technology. (Steve Mitman photo) A majority of public comment also disagreed with the elimination of a contracted part-time athletic trainer’s position that cost the district $7,000 this year. This position was proposed to be cut in last year’s budget, but was restored due to the health value it adds for student athletes. Board members agreed that they need to find out if the contracted cost will increase next year before making a decision.

Physical Education teacher, Denny Olsen. (Steve Mitman photo) School board discussions and public comments concern the superintendent’s proposed budget. The current $10 million budget is proposed to be reduced by $.5 million due to an anticipated reduction in state subsidy of nearly $450,000. Some or all of the nearly $.5 million in proposed cuts can be restored by the board before it goes to the district voters for approval. The board has been hosting weekly meetings to discuss the proposed budget.

Superintendent Quenten Clark said he didn’t expect that every one of his suggestions would be board approved and that some cuts will be restored. “They never approve everything I propose,” Clark said.

Currently, each of the four elemen- tary schools has a boys’ team and a girls’ team for soccer, basketball and baseball/softball programs. Clark explained that with reduced enrollment in the grades, unisex teams would cut costs by eliminating half of the 24 coaches currently used and half of the cost of officials due to fewer games being played. Although there would be a savings in officials, Clark kept the line for the cost of officials intact at $4,800.

Under collective bargaining agreements with the union, elementary coaches are paid a little under $1,000 on average for the season. Clark said he needs to speak with union officials before making any further recommendations and see if any concessions can be made.

The proposed elementary sports budget for example, calls for a $2,827 savings in the Strong athletic stipends line by reducing six sports teams to three unisex teams.

Nearly a dozen people spoke that evening in opposition to unisex teams.

Suggestions of having the towns pick up some of the costs through fundraising and other means were offered. “Pay-to-play” was another consideration offered.

Others expressed their concern about the concept in general, which may create the need to cut players from teams and reduce the participation levels due to lessening the competitive nature of the programs. Concern also arose over unisex teams by making it overly intimidating or awkward in nature. Others suggested that the small cost savings did not equal the value the current programs add for the students.

Clark explained that one of the reasons behind his suggestions to eliminate elementary teams and JV sports was the decline in enrollment. As an example, he mentioned that one elementary team did not have enough players and needed to place girls on a boys’ team.

He also said that some years there is not enough high school player interest to support a junior varsity and varsity program in some sports. In those years just one varsity team has supported student interests.

Some urged that no changes be made in sports this budget because everything might change in years ahead. Earlier board discussions involved the options of such things like creating a district-wide middle school or to tuition high school students to neighboring high schools. Both examples would add significant changes in not only sports for local students, but would impact nurses, high school positions.

Regarding the merger of sports teams, some suggested to “cross-the-bridge” when and if the numbers don’t support a team. For example, if an elementary school does not have the numbers to support a baseball and softball team, or clearly there is the need to have most all freshmen and sophomores playing varsity, then make that determination at that time to save money. Take it year by year, one resident offered. If the numbers are there, then you have one and if you don’t have the numbers than you don’t have a team, she said.

As the meeting was approaching the threehour marker, director Alan Morse motioned to adjourn and continue discussions later. The board will meet again, this Thursday, April 15 and will continue to meet on Thursdays with the exception of vacation week until the budget is set.