Medway school budget plan cuts spending by 3 %

MEDWAY – Members of the school board this week adopted a $2.4 million school budget proposal that reduces overall spending by 3 percent.

Superintendent Sandra MacArthur said the budget proposal met the needs of students by maintaining current programs. Despite a significant loss in state funding, MacArthur said only a part-time position was cut. “With grant money we were able to maintain one and one-half positions,” she said. Staffing was reorganized and federal money was used to fund some salaries.

Steve Federico, board chairman, said the budget came in with an increase of less than 1 percent, yet no programs were cut. He commended the efforts of administrators and staff. “They came together and recognized the difficult times,” he said.

Federico said school administrators accepted no pay increases. He said teachers worked diligently to find ways to save money.

He said some teacher stipends were dropped, but the programs will continue.

Officials said no major purchases or capital projects are planned. The proposal includes $10,000 to make bathrooms handicapped-accessible.

Federico said health care costs were 9.9 percent higher. He said teachers took an option to change health care plans last year, resulting in lower costs.

He said the half-time position of curriculum coordinator was cut. “This is a classic case of something that could be shared among area schools,” said Federico. He said area schools could share a superintendent as well as a curriculum coordinator.

“It is one of the areas where sharing services may make sense,” he said. “It would get all of the schools moving in the same direction and could get us closer to consolidation [of area schools].” Federico said the opportunity to share services with Millinocket could enhance kindergarten through grade 12 opportunities.

The proposed $2,419,024 school budget represents a decrease of $76,616, or 3.7 percent, compared with last year. The amount proposed from local taxpayers is $746,562. It represents an increase of $1,081, or a fraction of 1 percent, compared with last year.

Residents will consider the budget during the June town meeting.