POLAND — As part of a $302,000 budget reduction plan, Regional School Unit 16 personnel are looking at a proposal that calls for four shutdown days.

Superintendent  Dennis Duquette met with staff from all the schools Monday afternoon to explain the proposal, which he estimates will save approximately $175,000.

“If we don’t take a proactive stance now we will be in worse trouble,” he said.

The Maine Department of Education is projecting a $38,000,000 cut in general purpose aid to education. For the Poland- Minot-Mechanic Falls district, that comes to $302,000. 

Duquette and his administrative team have identified an additional $127,000 from other parts of a regular operating budget and he has ordered those reductions begin immediately. The plan to eliminate four professional development days,  by means of the shutdown days, will require changes to teacher and staff contracts.

Teachers, ed techs, food service personnel, secretaries, some custodial and all administrative personnel are being asked give up four paid days.

The teacher and staff unions will meet on Nov. 10 to discuss Duquette’s proposal, union Co-president Laurie Callahan. 

“We’ll be voting before and after school on Nov. 16 at all the schools,” Callahan said.

Duquette told the school committee Monday night that if the union’s vote fails, the second option would be to reduce staff in the district beginning Dec. 1.

“This is a crisis. There is no other way to label it,” Chairman Dave Griffiths said.

School committee members express concern that layoffs would be very hurtful.