A grade for Bangor School Committee’s budget

On June 10 voters in Bangor will be asked to approve a school budget question as mandated by state law. I would urge my fellow voters to approve this measure. Overturning a school budget can have a devastating effect, not only on the schools, but on the economic well-being of the community.

Since this is a new way of doing business for both the School Committee and the citizens, and a new superintendent has been hired, we can be forgiving and take a much closer look next year. I would like to suggest some improvements for this process next year in both the budget and the report card in the School Committee’s newsletter, The Communique.

This Communique showed 302 graduating in the Class of 2007. Since last year’s class size was 353, this is a drop of 14 percent. The school claims an annual dropout rate of 3 percent to 5 percent depending on the year. The balance is listed as transient. Given that the population of Bangor has been stable for several decades, does this seem plausible?

Last year, The Communique listed 94 percent of the seniors as going to “college” and 5 percent to employment. This year there is a more complete – but equally questionable – breakdown. Employment is listed at 0 percent and undecided at 1 percent, with the balance pursuing education in various forms. Really?

A quarter-page is devoted to Advanced Placement test results and National Merit Semifinalists. These may be good measures of achievement for 5 percent of the population. Is this due to demographics or to the quality of a small segment of our school system? There was no mention of United Technologies Center students. With Hollywood Slots begging for hospitality workers and Cianbro for welders, has the board lost sight of the economic development in our community?

A glaring omission in the budget is lack of spending comparisons with similar districts or state or national averages. In the past, comparisons were not done since the budget lines contained different expenses. The state is imposing a uniform chart of accounts which the administration doesn’t like. While this may cause some confusion in the short run, in the long run budgets will be comparable between districts. No comparisons were made in the budget information and a few in The Communique to statewide averages. In a state with many rural districts and few urban districts, statewide averages are not valid for Bangor. A comparison with an urban area such as Lewiston or Augusta would be much more appropriate.

The Communique also has a number of comparisons of test results with various state and national averages. Although interesting, a comparison of districts in and out of Maine with similar socioeconomic demographics and equivalent financing would be more logical.

As I reviewed the revenue section, I saw no mention of the loss of revenue if towns like Glenburn elect to consolidate with Orono and we lose these students. Although this may not occur this year, it may occur next year, and budgeting is an ongoing process, not a once-a-year chore. Is it appropriate that no mention is made of this information?

The utilities section of the March 7 online budget information lists a projected fuel cost of $2.50 per gallon or $138,000 total, and any increase in electricity cost is described as manageable. Based on a current price approaching $5 per gallon, this will create a budget deficit of $500,000, double the amount set aside for contingencies. It has come to my attention that since that was written, steps are now being taken, including converting schools to natural gas, that may alleviate this problem. Why are the voters asked to approve this question, with seriously incomplete and outdated information?

The budget devotes a paragraph and a line item to athletics at the high school. No mention is made of other activities. I recognize the positive impact athletics have, but The Communique lists only athletics available at the high school. Although I realize other activities are available, what impression would an outsider have of Bangor High School?

Again I would urge my fellow citizens to approve this measure. I would also ask our elected officials, both School Committee and City Council members, to provide accurate, credible, verifiable and timely information for use in this crucial decision next year.

Nick Bearce is a semiretired CPA-financial analyst and a Republican candidate in House District 15. He may be reached at nickbearce@hotmail.com.