Proposed Jonesport school budget reflects increase of $45,300 over last year’s figure

JONESPORT — Officials attending the Jonesport school system’s annual budget meeting Monday, June 4, will consider a proposed $45,300 increase in the total local appropriation, compared with the local appropriation that was approved last year. The total local appropriation proposed in the 1990-91 budget is $227,911.

The proposed 1990-91 total budget for the School Department, according to Superintendent Bruce Crowley, is $873,573. The School Committee approved the budget Thursday, May 3.

A substantial increase in the state’s valuation of the coastal mainland town, Crowley said, was a major reason for the proposed $45,300 increase. About $20,000 of that proposed local budget increase was blamed on the iuncrease in the town’s valuation. Increases in teachers’ wages and salaries, insurance, fuel, textbooks and other expenses contributed to the increase in the local appropriation. Last year, the total local appropriation was about $205,000.

The committee accepted the resignation of committee member Roland Rogers Jr., who had served for 10 years. Rogers decided to resign because of his health. The remaining members of the committee, under the leadership of Robert L. Smith, will select a new member to fill Rogers’ unexpired term until the annual town meeting in March 1991, when townspeople will elect a new committee member.

A guidance counselor and a part-time art teacher were awarded continuing-employment contracts. Anita Merritt was hired as guidance counselor, and Mary Ann Hennessey was hired as a part-time art teacher.

Three teachers were hired through salary agreements. Candace Beal and Estella Smith were hired to teach remedial reading and mathematics in the Chapter I program; and Susan Chandler was hired to teach in the migrant education program.

Cost estimates from construction contractors were requested by the committee to be included in a proposed construction package that would add a new playground area adjacent to the Jonesport Elementary School’s athletic field.

A new baseball backstop was recently added to the athletic field. The new playground, to be situated on the heath side of the elementary school’s traffic circle, will be for pupils in grades five-eight.

Crowley reported that a representative of the Maine School Management Association would speak at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, to the about 45 employees about health insurance. Classes will be dismissed one hour early to accommodate the informational session at the elementary school.