SALEM TOWNSHIP — RSU 58 directors agreed Tuesday to start planning for a prekindergarten program in Kingfield, Phillips and Strong elementary schools.
Superintendent Brenda Stevens said a full-time instructor would be paid approximately $60,000 and a full-time educational technician $25,000. Another $25,000 would be allocated for building renovations.
The initial proposal was to have the instructor and educational technician cover the Kingfield and Phillips schools. The Kingfield building would need more construction work than the Phillips school, which houses a Head Start program.
Stevens said the school in Strong has no space to accommodate a class of 4-year-olds.
“The Strong school is busting at the seams,” she said.
Directors agreed that the program must be offered in all three schools, but spending the money this year was not a wise financial commitment. Instead, they approved adding $30,000 to this year’s budget to start the process but not hire staff.
Director Rupert Pratt of Strong said state funding could be available to help with startup costs in 2015.
Also Monday, directors addressed funding maintenance projects in the 2014-15 budget. The roof on Mt. Abram High School is 20 years old, David Baker, facilities and transportation director, said.
He and Assistant Director Tim Sorel said repairs and replacements at facilities vary in cost and urgency.
One school’s tarred parking lot is the original skim coat applied in the 1980s, Baker said. Some of the original heating vents were designed to exchange the air five or six times every hour, he said, but some of the newer ventilation systems monitor the air and only exchange air when needed. That could help reduce heating costs, Baker said.
Directors cut some requests, including replacing carpet at the Strong Elementary School.
Directors also debated whether to add an assistant principal’s position back into the budget. Principal Marco Aliberti has the sole responsibility of managing the high school.
Stevens said Aliberti frequently has to meet with law enforcement officials and parents to handle fights and other disciplinary problems.
“We consult with law enforcement on a regular basis,” Stevens said.
The board is expecting too much of him, Phillips director Faith Richard said.
“I’ve never seen a high school without an assistant principal,” she said.
Directors wanted to reconsider funding that position, with the possibility of combining it with the $10,000 approved for an athletic director. Whether the board could find someone willing to do both jobs would be the biggest hurdle.
Directors will discuss the matter at Thursday night’s board meeting.
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