DIXFIELD — The RSU 10 board terminated the contracts of nine teachers and one principal Tuesday night as part of the 2014-15 budget-cutting measures.

About 30 educational technicians and probationary teachers had already been notified that their jobs were eliminated, and two secretaries and one bus driver must still be notified, Superintendent Craig King said.

Altogether, the board eliminated 44 full-time equivalent positions to reduce the proposed 2014-15 budget.

The goal had been to present a $35.6 million budget, the same amount as this year. However, the proposed figure is $36.2 million.

The job eliminations and higher proposed budget are the result of $1.1 million less in general purpose aid to education and contractual obligations of about $1.6 million.

Principal Celena Ranger, who has led Dirigo Middle School for several years, lost her position, effective in August. Full-time nutrition administrator Marge Kennedy lost her position as well.

Kennedy was offered a half-time position and must decide by June 16.

King said the administration of the middle school, which has an enrollment of about 160 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, will be determined later this week.

Teachers whose contracts were terminated are:

* Rumford Elementary School art teacher Gemma Morrill-Dreher;

* Dirigo Elementary School physical education teacher Kathy Crutchfield;

* Hartford-Sumner Elementary School physical education teacher Sara Thurston;

* Dirigo High School math teacher Emily Jorgensen;

* Buckfield High School social studies teacher Breanna Bellefontaine;

* Dirigo Middle School computer technology teacher Ben Bridges;

* Hartford-Sumner Elementary School librarian Pamela Morin;

* Dirigo High School science teacher Athena Sanders; and

* Mountain Valley Middle School math teacher Ryanne Brown.

Sanders and Brown were offered half-time positions. Both must decide by June 16 whether to accept them.

King said prior to the termination votes, that he and business manager Mary Dailey worked with the state and with the district’s lawyer to assure that the contract terminations were done properly.

He said representatives from the Maine Department of Labor and the Maine Educational Association will meet with the affected teachers.

He directed the principals from each of the schools to write letters of recommendation for the terminated teachers, explaining that the loss of jobs was the result of finances and not performance.

Copy the Story Link