WATERFORD — Oxford Hills School District Superintendent Mark Eastman told Waterford residents Wednesday night that the district faces a financial "perfect storm" — but people gathered at the Waterford Memorial School seemed to take it in stride.

In the first of a series of community meetings in the eight-town district, Eastman laid out proposals to cope with an anticipated $2.6 million loss in state funds next year. The budget this year is slightly more than $37 million.

"We are in unprecedented times," Eastman told a group of about 100 people in the school's gymnasium. "I've never faced anything like this in 25 years — not even close.

"I know the perfect storm is a pretty well-used metaphor, but it describes what we are facing," he said.

In a PowerPoint presentation, he showed a photograph of an impending storm, with the factors that contribute to the district's financial situation listed beside it: declining enrollment, higher property values, a deep recession, declining federal and state revenue, rising costs, and high local unemployment.

"Our current revenue stream will not allow us to sustain the current level of staff and services," Eastman said.

"Our budget is 83 percent human resources, and 10 percent is fixed. We're going to have to face reductions in staff. There's no other way to achieve this."

Eastman ticked off a number of proposals to cut spending, including $800,000 in staff cuts at the secondary level (the actual number of positions to be cut was not included).

Other savings of about $500,000 would come from facilities, technology, co-curricular, health and administration.

At the elementary level, three administrative positions would be cut, saving $250,000, and $500,000 would be saved by cutting teachers and education technicians.

Three elementary-level clusters would be created: Central with Norway, Waterford and Harrison; Northern with Paris, West Paris and Hebron; and Southern with Oxford and Otisfield. Included in the proposal is shifting Waterford fifth- and sixth-graders to Harrison.

While it prompted some questions and discussion, no one seemed vehemently opposed to it.
"I'm hearing that the kids are pretty excited about it," parent Terra Coffin said. "They all know other kids from the outlying towns. The only thing my son said was ‘If I miss the bus will I have to walk home?'"

Another parent was worried, however.

"My son's already stressed out about this," Jennifer Rondeau said. "What about the sixth-graders? They'll have to switch schools two years in a row."

"They will be with their same core group of students," Eastman said. "What I've seen over the years is kids are pretty resilient."

Asked why Harrison students can't be brought to Waterford, Eastman said there is not enough room.

Another parent asked how this will affect busing costs.

"We're really not talking about significant transportation costs," Eastman said.

"Is it safe to say there won't be a fifth or sixth grade here next year?" another parent asked.

"That's a proposal, until someone comes up with a better plan," Eastman answered.

"Is the probability high?" he was asked.

"I think the probability is high. If I could think of another way to do it, I would," Eastman said. "If you tell me to go to the towns and ask for more money, I will," he added.

"I would be willing to raise my taxes," Christine Rowe said in response.