Fund shortage forces delay of pre-K program

DOVER-FOXCROFT – A move toward early childhood education in the public school in Dover-Foxcroft has been stymied by the lack of state money.

Over the past four years, SAD 68 officials have laid the groundwork for a pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds. They had planned to initiate the program with the fall opening of the new SeDoMoCha Elementary School, which includes three specially designed classrooms for the youngsters.

“Had the state followed its plan to move public education to the 55 percent funding level, we would have had enough this year to start the program,” SAD 68 Superintendent John Dirnbauer said Wednesday. Since that funding fell short, the program will be shelved until fall 2008 when officials hope funds will be available.

“We are very disappointed,” Dirnbauer said. About 50 to 60 children were pre-registered for the new classes, he noted.

Dirnbauer said the district has had much success with its pre-kindergarten pilot program at the Monson Elementary School and wanted to provide the same offerings for Dover-Foxcroft, Charleston and Sebec children. The program at the new school will be delayed, much to the disappointment of parents, teachers and administrators, he said.

The district expects to receive about $6 million in subsidy, of which $493,986 is for the debt service on the new school. Excluding the debt service payment, the subsidy reflects an increase of about $68,000 over last year, Dirnbauer said.

To arrive at a proposed budget of $9,769,966 that was adopted by directors Tuesday, about $400,000 in cuts were made, according to Dirnbauer. Out went the proposed pre-kindergarten program at the new school.

Although the district did not have to lay off teachers because of retirements, four positions were eliminated through the budget process, he said.

“To make this budget work, we need a total increase in assessments to towns of 1.99 percent,” Dirnbauer said. Of the budget to budget increase, only 1.35 percent is caused by increased expenses, he explained.

Monson and Sebec will see increases in their assessments for education because of rising state valuations. Monson’s assessment increased by about $33,000 and Sebec’s increased by about $47,500 over last year. Charleston’s and Dover-Foxcroft’s assessments dropped by about $10,200 and about $7,123, respectively.