FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 directors will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Mt. Blue Campus to begin deliberations for a budget for 2018-19.
The board continued its review Tuesday of a proposed $35.3 million spending plan but did not make any decisions.
The budget is about $1.7 million more than this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Taxpayers would be responsible for raising $13 million of the $35.3 million.
Directors received another presentation from elementary school principals on a proposed kindergarten through second-grade alternative education program. It would serve eight students at a time at one location, most likely W.G. Mallett School in Farmington. Students from other schools in need of the services would be bused Mallett School.
The Pathways for All Learners Program would serve students whose behavior is abnormally disruptive. It is anticipated that the program would positively affect more than 100 students in classrooms.
The cost is estimated at $315,383 without factoring in small bus with a lift, camera and radio. The bus, if that is what the board proposes, could be financed over five years, Business Manager Kris Pottle said. The cost for a driver is included in the estimate.
The board also will review a cost proposal for a kindergarten through fifth-grade program next Tuesday.
Directors reviewed a proposed Franklin County adult basic education/adult and continuing education proposal for a total of $481,123. RSU 9 taxpayers would be responsible for raising $173,874 of it, which is $6,150 more than last year, program director Glenn Kapiloff said.
In other business, Christine Gatto-Shea, district director of special education/services, received a standing ovation for her services to the district the past five years.
Superintendent Tom Ward read her resignation letter to the board. She plans to continue to work with special needs students and families as a school psychologist, as she has done most of her career. Her last day will be July 9 but she is willing to stay on short term to make a smooth transition for the new director.
The board also voted to hire Mary Redmond-Luce of Jay as full-time student services coordinator at Foster Career and Technical Education Center at Mt. Blue Campus. She has served as interim coordinator since Jan. 2.
The final budget will go to voters next month.
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