PARIS – The public raised questions about SAD 17 transportation costs, technology positions and combining services at Wednesday’s hearing on the proposed $29.8 million school budget for 2003-2004.

No changes were offered and none were made at the districtwide hearing.

The budget is $705,922 more than this year, an increase of 2.42 percent. It includes money for a conventional bus and lease-purchase of three others, as well as $50,000 for four capital improvement projects. The state refunds the lease/purchase cost every two years.

Superintendent Mark Eastman said the budget was designed to continue current programming and no new initiatives other than those required by federal or state law.

He said the continuing struggles the district faces are:

• Dealing with the ramifications of an economic slowdown.

• Little change in General Purpose Aid from the state.

• Little or no business growth.

• Higher fuel, utility and property liability insuracne costs.

Eastman said the local concerns of the escalating costs of health insurance, high property taxes and local business closures also impact the district.

Some of the needs being addressed by the budget include continuing current programs, curriculum development and expansion of standards based reporting regarding the Maine Learning Results.

Money was also provided for transportation for after-school programming at elementary schools to help students meet standards.

“We have been looking at ways to lengthen the school year or the school day because some children just need more time,” Eastman said.

He said the decreases in the budget included:

• Supplies, text and equipment.

• Repair and maintenance projects.

• Athletic supplies and equipment.

• 1.5 teaching positions and some stipend positions.

• Restructuring to reduce administrative costs

The total budget increase was $705,922, despite fixed costs increasing $987,000.

Otisfield Selectman Leonard Adler, an often outspoken critic of the SAD 17 budget, praised the district for working to keep costs in line.

Vocational Region 11 Director Thomas Cope showed that his technical school budget was increasing 1.01 percent to $3,393,609 in total revenues and had a net increase of $66,771 or 3.04 percent for operations.

Transportation Director Ron Deegan explained how a committee reviews the operations of his bus fleet every month seeking efficiencies.

Eastman was also asked if the number of technology instructors was increasing while the student population remains flat.

He explained how support people were needed in conjunction with the increase in computer usage. He pointed to the Oxford Hills Middle School which received 350 computers this year under former Gov. Angus King’s program. The school was given enough for all seventh-graders this year and will be given enough for all eighth-graders next year.

He said teachers, with full course loads, double as go-to people at the school for immediate problems and the district has two experts that travel to handle the more difficult problems.

The budget vote is June 10, the same day as a statewide referendum.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com

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