LIVERMORE FALLS – There will be no program cuts in SAD 36 if the Palesky tax-cap proposal is passed, Superintendent Terry Despres told directors Thursday night.
It will, however, shorten the school year, perhaps to 140 days, seven weeks less than the state-mandated 175.
“We’ve rolled back as much as we can. If we only have money for 140, it’s better to do that than to pit program against program, people against people,” Despres explained.
Passage of the plan would mean a $2.5 million loss, more than 25 percent of operational costs, but officials don’t want to discuss what they’re going to cut, he said.
“We value what we’re doing. We’ll continue a quality program for the time we’re here. What we have is essential to all,” Despres stated. “There is much to be considered.”
He also explained that, under the state’s new Essential Programs and Services system, each municipality must raise 8.39 mills for schools and, if it is not raised, the town will face a loss in its state subsidy.
School officials will learn more about dealing with the tax cap at a meeting sponsored by the Maine School Management Association from 9:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 at the Augusta Elks Club.
Included in that discussion will be a report on the legal issues associated with implementation of the cap, as it applies to Maine schools.
Officials will then hear about the tax cap’s impact on mandates required of Maine schools, and the cap’s implications in developing 2005-06 budgets.
Despres, Chairman Denise Rodzen and Vice Chair Jean Tardif plan to attend the session, which is limited to three attendees from each school unit.
Despres noted that it is not appropriate for district employees to wear any tax-cap-related campaign paraphernalia during the school day. However, after the school day, they can represent their personal opinions.
There will be no mention of the cap in the upcoming school newspaper either, he said, just news of what’s going on in the school.
“School funds can’t be used for lobbying: We hold ourselves in a highly professional manner.”
In other matters, directors approved the resignation of Paula Wade as food service director, and approved self-insuring of laptop computers. Ashley O’Brien and Jackie Knight were appointed to the Negotiations Schedule B Committee, and O’Brien, Catherine Ouellette, Rodzen, Tardif and Elaine Smith will attend the school management convention Oct. 21-22.
Seven committees will be formed at the Oct. 14 meeting to begin work on the proposed building and remodeling project.
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