LIVERMORE FALLS — With recent layoffs at Verso’s Androscoggin Mill, a tough budget process has become even more difficult for the Regional School Unit 73 board of directors.

One of the biggest challenges is a projected loss of school subsidy of $233,000, Superintendent Kenneth Healey said at Thursday’s meeting. The reason for the loss of subsidy is a decrease of 35 students this year districtwide.

Healey said that for tax rates to remain the same for residents, the budget would have to be reduced 3.6 percent.

He said he has directed the administrators at each of the district’s schools to submit flat budgets. He then asked directors to provide a target figure “based on what you believe the community will be able to endure in this very difficult economic time.”

The 2016 school budget of about $18.8 million exceeded the state’s Essential Programs and Services model by $1.7 million, Healey said.

After consideration, directors set a 2017 budget goal of $18.12 million. 

Adult Education Director Robyn Raymond said she wanted to hold a spaghetti supper to show community support for workers recently laid off from Verso’s Androscoggin Mill.

“It’s not really a fundraiser,” she said. “It’s a time of need, and we need to support them.”

Raymond said she planned to hold the event on the evening of Dec. 22 and was looking for volunteers to help. Directors were concerned about the short notice that was provided.

“I’m trying to get people engaged and wanting to do this,” Raymond said. “This is our community and we need to help these people.”

Director Tammy Frost noted that the morning commute to school for parents in the area around Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay was hazardous due to all of the cars and school buses turning and lack of visibility on the hill just before the school. She suggested a caution light could be turned on at certain times of the day to warn drivers about school traffic.

“I’m surprised we haven’t had more accidents at the bottom of that hill,” she said.

Director Joel Pike asked about adjusting traffic patterns to create a safer situation there.

“It does get hairy, not just at the bottom of the hill but also at the elementary school drop-off,” he said.

In other RSU 73 news:

• Healey said he would be on vacation from Dec. 19 to Jan. 9. In his absence, Spruce Mountain Middle School Principal Scott Albert will be the acting superintendent.

• Three FIRST Lego League teams from Spruce Mountain Middle School will compete in the state championship in Augusta on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m.

• The next RSU 73 board of directors meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Cedar Street Conference Room.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net