LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 directors were told Thursday that future budgets will be based on an essential programs and services model approved by the Legislature.

Superintendent Terry Despres said most of the requirements will be implemented in the 2005/06 budget but planning for it needs to begin this year to determine the effect it will have on the student body and what the state will fund.

The district will start budget deliberations after vacation next month, he added, after the Legislature has made a decision on state support of education. The budget will be revenue driven, he stressed.

Despres expressed hope that the Legislature would reach a compromise on funding education as well as some property tax relief.

Despres hopes to have initial figures ready for officials from the two towns when they meet with directors Jan. 29 to help in preparing their budgets.

Since Livermore has been revalued, the towns will also be talking about what changes that could make in subsidy ratios.

Half of the changes could be picked up the first year, he said, with the rest held for the second. When reevaluations are being considered, the towns may also want to include the number of students in the subsidies formula.

Approval was given to a contract with Charles Ravis, an independent contractor working on development of athletic fields, from January 2004 to January 2005 for a maximum of $3,500.

Despres advised the board on an e-mail received from the commissioner of education regarding the deployment of Maine troops and the affect it may have on students. He plans some work with staff to guide them in dealing with possible problems.

The second-year kindergarten for four-year-olds is going well, the superintendent said, and he plans to have a report on it for the board soon.

Sue St. Pierre gave a presentation of the proposed humanities class trip to New York City on April 8 and 9. The board will vote on it at the next meeting.

The initial visit in the accreditation process will take place Feb. 24-25 and work will move ahead quite rapidly from then on, Despres said. This is a K-12 review, he said.

The nutrition group will meet at 9 a.m. Jan. 20, buildings and grounds at 7 p.m. on Jan. 21, and policy on Feb. 2.

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