NEW SWEDEN, Maine — The New Sweden School board held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday to discuss a number of agenda items, including a newly proposed budget development timeline for 2015-16, which was drafted by the superintendent’s office.
The beginning of the timeline, which represents between now and Dec. 19 when schools break for Christmas vacation, consists of staff identity budget requisitions. According to Union 122 Superintendent Karla Michaud, this is a period in which the teachers and staff identify any requisitions they may need for the year. Each staff member will be required to outline any and all purchases they will need, and then submit those requisitions to their respective building administrator by Dec. 19.
Superintendent Michaud will then meet with building administrators to discuss the budget and decide if any changes are necessary. The budgets will then be due back from the building administrator with all the necessary adjustments by Jan. 15, 2015.
Between Jan. 22 and Feb. 5, Michaud will be meeting with building administrators and program directors to discuss budget proposals and any staffing or program needs.
The adjusted budgets will then be due back from building administrators on Feb. 12.
Between February and March, the central office will develop a draft system budget based on building and program requests, current year spending and prior year spending.
The board will review the draft budget in April, and will vote on whether or not to approve the budget in May. By June, the requisitions will be updated and printed. Between June and July, the approved budget requisitions will be translated into purchase orders by the central office staff.
Michaud also thanked all those from the area who attended the Autism Training held on Nov. 17 in Caribou. Michaud was instrumental in coordinating the event and she noted that there were people from New Sweden’s school department who attended, which was very beneficial.
Michaud also mentioned that there would be a revamping of the school’s Safety Committee, which will begin with a training for janitorial and food service staff on Jan. 22.
“There will be a consultant from Maine School Management, who will be leading the conference,” said Michaud. “We’re really looking to expand on our Safety Committee and its efforts, so I think this will be a good start.”
Michaud then proudly announced that New Sweden has received four Title 1 grants, which include the Title 1A grant, the Title 2A grant, and both local entitlement grants for school age students, as well as pre-school.
