The superintendent is concerned state funding will be cut, producing a budget short fall.
By Cora C. Briggs
Special to the Sun Journal

LIVERMORE FALLS – Reasoning behind the SAD 36 spending freeze was the major topic of Thursday’s joint meeting between the SAD 36 board of directors and officials from its member towns, Livermore and Livermore Falls.

Superintendent Terry Despres had initiated a freeze on non-essential spending after last month’s referendum on education reform left citizens in limbo, with no majority vote on the measure.

“The current budget is not in trouble,” he stressed. “The freeze affects out of district travel but it should not affect the classroom learning process – it just sends a message to be at attention.”

Despres explained his concerns about state support for education in the 2004-2005 year and the next. “When the state has problems with revenues, the locals have to pick it up,” he said, explaining the state has to come up with $3.8 million for MaineCare.

The state had withheld funds in the past to balance its own budget, Despres recalled, once by not making the 12th payment in the year and this past year by holding out $50,000. He would like to see $400,000 in a revenue forward account as a safeguard if the state holds back funding.

He urged support of a legislative compromise on the 1-A issue rather then taking it back to another vote in June. “If this isn’t solved before June, we face an unknown in state revenue.”

Some cuts are already being planned, Despres said, one of which could cost the district $37,000. That would be in a proposal to reduce the present transportation subsidy.

It costs the district $367 per student for transportation but the state plans to subsidize it at only $335, a loss of $32 per pupil. Included in this state formula is student density which hurts small, rural districts such as SAD 36.

The state is reversing its effort to assist small districts to sustain equity in educational opportunity, resulting in a major policy shift, he explained. “This will drive those communities which are struggling now to die.” he said.

“It’s taking from the poor and giving it back to the rich. We’re doomed to have fewer services and lower levels of education.”

With what he knows now about state support, Despres fears he will have to lay off employees and carefully evaluate programs to determine their value. He will also look carefully at a single-run bussing system rather than the present two runs.

“If we don’t do something internally, we’ll face a $500,000 hit,” he said.

Regionalization is the only way to go, Despres said, noting he is currently working with Leavitt, Jay, Maranacook, Fayette and Winthrop, looking for possible savings.

In addition to the schools’ woes, the towns are facing their own problems, officials explained. Livermore Falls’ valuation is going down and could result in an increase in taxes with no additional spending.

In Livermore, some citizens may see their tax bills change as the town is in the midst of a revaluation, and the town’s roads are in poor condition, a continuing problem.

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