TURNER — School board directors started the initial discussion this week on next year’s SAD 52 budget, tentatively considering new buses, teachers and software, while they wait on news of state funding.

Superintendent Kimberly Brandt said the first workshop Thursday was full of possibilities that included two new classroom teachers, a half-time pre-kindergarten education technician, hours for an ed tech to keep the high school library open longer, new Chromebook laptop computers, instructional coaches and two new buses.

Until state funding numbers are in, “we don’t know what it means for impact on taxes,” she said. “It could be that what we’ve presented is very reasonable. We’re always looking to strike that balance between students’ needs and the district’s needs, as well as being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.

“Once we get that information,” she added, “we’ll know a whole lot more.”

The plan is for the board to adopt a draft budget April 4, before a district budget vote in May.

Also at the Thursday meeting: 

• Yuri Kowalski was voted the new vice chair.

• The board continued to talk about deferred maintenance priorities.

• Directors hired two special education teachers at the high school, pending certification.

“We’re so excited about this,” Brandt said. “These positions have been open all year long. What’s really exciting is they are internal candidates, people who are working hard to get their certifications and doing a really nice job in their roles for us as ed tech IIIs.”

kskelton@sunjournal.com