SALEM TOWNSHIP — RSU 58 directors signed the warrant for the proposed 2015-2016 budget at a Thursday night meeting.

Directors will hold the district budget meeting for the community 6 p.m. May 28 at Mt. Abram High School. Each town will set its own voting hours. This year’s budget proposal of $9.43 million is $347,550, or 3.85 percent, more over last year’s approved budget of $9.08 million.

The local share of the budget is expected to be $3.70 million, an increase of $63,041 or 1.84 percent. Avon’s portion will be $439,284, an increase of $11,588 or 2.92 percent. Kingfield’s portionwill be $1.48 million, an increase of $10,390 or 0.73 percent. Phillips’ portion will be $872,371, an increase of $19,642 or 2.47 percent. Strong’s portion will be $910,102, an increase of $21,421 or 2.59 percent. 

Voters in Strong, Phillips, Avon and Kingfield will decide on June 9 whether to validate the final 2015-2016 budget

The board agreed to review a schedule to hire a new superintendent. At the last meeting, Superintendent Erica Brouillet announced she would leave her post at the end of the school year.

Directors will review the options to hire full-time, part-time and interim candidates. Board members Jason Plog, Beth Luce, Julie Talmage, Kim Jordan and Lois Barker will begin the process of reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates.

Brouillet told directors they also should consider spending more to hire a new technology director over the initial $65,000 first proposed, to replace technology director Angel Allen, who accepted other employment. The district paid Allen $63,000 for the technology director’s salary and $9,000 for the food service director’s salary.

Brouillet said only one highly qualified candidate has applied for the technology director’s position, and she advised directors to offer him at least $75,000. Several directors expressed dissenting opinions of the proposal, but the board approved the increase.

“I have a problem approving paying that much more to a candidate we haven’t met when were weren’t paying that much for a director we’ve had for years,” director Kim Jordan said.

Director Faith Richard suggested that the board might want to consider this a lesson to be learned, if the district has to pay more money to replace qualified employees.

The Superintendent Search Committee will meet at 4 p.m. on May 20 at Mt. Abram High School. Administrative Assistant Cindy Dixon will send an invitation to teachers and administrators, requesting representatives participate in the selection process.

Directors also approved Brouillet’s recommendations for renewing teaching contracts for Lianne Fiske, David Gordon, Tabitha Riendeau, Tamara Schuman, Kawika Thompson, Selina Warren, Johanna LaPlant and Tracy Knapp. Cara Smith will be the new food service director.

Directors voted after an executive session to ratify the Custodian/Bus Drivers’ contract.

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