RUMFORD — Regional School Unit 10’s offer to share transportation and custodial services with the new RSU 56 based in Dixfield was declined, Superintendent Deborah Alden told the RSU 10 board of directors Monday. 

To make up for the loss, Alden said, the assistant transportation maintenance position of the four-member department was cut and a part-time custodian’s hours could be axed. 

Another offer to share English language learner services with RSU 56 was partially accepted, Alden said.

“We cut another 10 percent on the English language learner services because (RSU 56) didn’t want a whole day of (teacher’s services),” she said. “They wanted a half-day.”

A vote to accept RSU 56’s purchase of 10 percent of ELL services was opposed by members Frank Diconzo and Jennifer LeDuc, along with some abstentions, but the vote passed.

Another disappointment for RSU 10 was not getting a grant for Pennacook Learning Center services. “They had 22 applications and seven got funded,” Alden said.

Alden also shared some good news.

“Anthem insurance started at a 10 percent rise, then we had cuts to 7 percent, and now we’re thrilled to find out on Thursday morning it’s 1.18 percent, about $230,000 to take out of the budget,” the superintendent said. With the various changes made to the budget, RSU 10 is drafting a budget of $27.73 million, a 2.8 increase over this year.

In other news, Mountain Valley High School Principal Matt Gilbert presented an agreement between Rumford and the Hosmer Field Sports Complex. The three-year agreement is effective from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020. Payments for next year would be $26,334. Directors Michelle Casey and Charlie Maddaus opposed the agreement, with other members abstaining, and the motion passed.

The next school board meeting is at 6:30 p.m April 24 at the T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School in Dixfield.

mhutchinson@sundmediagroup.net

Mountain Valley High School Principal Matt Gilbert presented a budget agreement between the town of Rumford and the Hosmer Field Sports Complex. The three-year agreement is effective from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020. Payments for next year would be $26,334.