Staff Writer
Education officials in School Union 122 are continuing to struggle to come up with budgets that match dwindling state funds and increasing costs before annual town meeting and other deadlines. A budget for each town member of the union must be completed and approved on several levels before a June 30 deadline. The union is composed of the towns of Woodland, New Sweden, Westmanland and Stockholm. Elementary students in Stockholm and Westmanland attend the New Sweden School, while Woodland educates its own students.
Several meetings have been held, but no final approvals on reductions or spending plans have been made.
“It’s been tough decisions,” said John Hedman, the union’s superintendent.
Hedman said that about $51,000 has been shaved off the New Sweden school budget. The principal’s hours have been cut from half time to a 3/10s. In addition, a seven-hour social services contract with Aroostook Mental Health Center has been eliminated for next year.
The New Sweden budget also eliminated funds for a 4/10s team teacher and technology positions and a half-time team teaching position, according to the superintendent.
A meeting of the union board was held last week to consider a new configuration of the superintendent’s and the special education-curriculum coordinator’s positions. However, no action was taken on the proposals, according to Hedman.
Budget issues also were the topic of a recent school board meeting in New Sweden.
Board member Carolyn Morrison voiced a hope that all concerned, including town and school officials, can come to the tale with an “open mind.”
‘It’s the kids that suffer,” said Morrison.
Hedman told the board that additional program and staff reductions might be considered, but said that he’s not comfortable making further reductions without affecting the quality of education.
Coupled with the budget issues, are new state requirements on how budgets are approved at the town level. In addition to the traditional town meeting approval, a “budget validation referendum” must be held within each town, Hedman explained.
