SAD 44 sets dates for budget referendum, hearing, election

BETHEL — The SAD 44 School Board Monday set June 8 for a district referendum vote on the FY’22 budget and the at-large School Board election.

It also set May 26 at 6:30 p.m.as the date for a remote public hearing on the budget.
The proposed FY’ 22 school budget of $12,393,532, if approved, would increase $253,571 over last year’s $12,139,961 (2.09%).

All budget-related information can be found on the SAD 44 website at sad44.org.

In other business at Monday’s 45-minute meeting, Supt. Dave Murphy reported that district officials are in discussion with representatives of about 10 other districts about possibly collaborating next year on remote learning, if needed again because of Covid-19. He said it can be challenging for teachers to simultaneously juggle in-person and remote learning, and sharing staff and students remotely in some situations might be helpful.

Murphy also noted SAD 44 is working on a new district website, slated to go online in August, that should be easier to navigate than the current one, which is about five years old.

Telstar High School Principal Mark Kenney reported that plans are in the works for an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021, with limited tickets. The event would also be live-streamed.