JAY — Regional School Unit 73 transition team members got their first look at a proposed $18.28 million spending package for 2011-12 Tuesday night.

It represents a $57,841.18 increase over the current $18.22 million combined budgets of Jay and RSU 36, which will consolidate as of July 1.

The 2011-12 budget includes startup costs for the system to do its own bus repairs and maintenance, and the cost of buying new uniforms for the combined sports teams. The legal fees to become one school system are also high, Jay School Superintendent Bob Wall said.

The combined student population is projected to be 1,612 students in the fall.

The revenue portion of the budget will be discussed at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Jay Middle School cafeteria.

Included in the budget is an estimate of $399,400 for heating oil. Currently, the systems are paying about $2.62 per gallon and oil is selling for $3.49 to $3.59 per gallon retail, Jay Superintendent Bob Wall said. The combined systems use 122,892 gallons of oil per year. School officials will solicit bids with a large number of schools and towns to get the best price, he said.

Electricity is budgeted at $255,200.

The budget covers one principal to oversee both the Jay and Livermore Falls high schools, or the north and south campuses, respectively, with the majority of the time spent in Livermore Falls. That school has the larger student body.

It also covers a high school assistant principal/athletic director who will be located at Jay High School. There will be one administrative support assistant at each high school. They will assist the administrative staff in monitoring behavior, attendances and tardies and encourage students to remain in school, according to the job description.

The Jay Middle School will have a principal and assistant principal, considering it is expected that Livermore Falls Middle School students will attend school in Jay.

The decommissioning of the Livermore Falls Middle School is budgeted to cost $80,850. The vote to consider closing it is expected to occur in May. If it is not closed, then more money will need to be added to the budget to operate the school.

There will be one principal at each of the elementary schools.

The combined food service program is designed to be self-sufficient and will be run by the school district. Currently, RSU 36 uses a contracted service to manage its program.

The new system will also have a superintendent and assistant superintendent for the first year since both Wall and RSU 36 Superintendent Sue Pratt are under contract until June 30, 2012. It is expected that there will be one superintendent in the second year of consolidation.

Central office staff will be combined at Cedar Street Learning Complex in Livermore Falls. The system administration, which covers superintendent’s office, board of directors and business office, is estimated to save $73,091 once combined.

Critical issues facing the new school system include providing support for a wide range of needs and requirements and maintaining real estate taxes within acceptable limits.

The budget will be discussed in more detail next Tuesday.

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