SALEM TOWNSHIP — Regional School Unit 58 directors announced Tuesday night they are prepared for the outcome of next week’s vote on the eviscerated budget voters passed last week.
The 14 directors said they are committed to continue with the scheduled vote at the polls in Avon, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong on Tuesday, June 9.
On Thursday, voters reduced the proposed $9.43 million spending plan to $255,955, an amount that will pay debt service on Maine municipal bond bank loans for building construction, and $6,000 for the local share of the adult education program run by RSU 9. All other articles were approved for $1 each.
“The advice of legal counsel is that we can’t declare that budget meeting invalid,” Chairman Dan Worcester said. “They recommend we send it to voters.”
The move to slash the budget was in light of teachers not having a contract for the past three years and the recent resignations of five administrators: Superintendent Erica Brouillet, Business Manager Lucy Milewski, Technology Director Angel Allen, Dean of Students and Athletic Director James Black and Mt. Abram High School Principal Marco Aliberti.
On May 27, the Mt. Abram Teachers’ Association issued a Declaration of No Confidence in the school board. Ninety-three of the 94 teachers and educational technicians in the district signed the declaration.
“We hope the communities do not pass this budget,” Superintendent Erica Brouillet said.
If it does not pass June 9, she said, the school board will present another budget for 2015-16 and that will go to a vote at 6 p.m. Monday, June 22, at Mt. Abram High School. She said there must be at least the same number of voters on June 22 as there were on May 28.
Whatever budget is passed on June 22, will go to voters at the polls on Monday, June 29, she said.
The district’s fiscal year ends June 30.
Directors entered executive session and announced that three elementary school principals and the special education director would continue as administrators whether or not voters approve a working budget June 29.
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