On April 11, the Gorham School Committee (SC) voted (6-1, Benson) to submit a $39,288,505 Fiscal Year 2019 budget to the Town Council for approval. This represents an increase of 4.43% in expenditures over last year. However, since the district lost $1.2 million in state subsidy, a decrease of almost 8%, if approved, the budget would result in an approximate mil rate increase of $1.55 per $1,000 valuation. This equates to an increase of approximately $464 on a home valued at $300,000.
As nearly 70% of the budget is for personnel, much of the increase is explained by a 2% increase in the base salary for teachers and for step increases based on experience and levels of degree attainment for a combined average of 4.2%. Gorham, with many experienced, highly educated teachers, pays its teachers an average of $59,111. According to Superintendent Heather Perry, Maine’s average teacher salary is $48,430.
Increased enrollment projections requiring staff and facilities, additional special education personnel, textbook and computer upgrades, and higher insurance costs account for some other increases to the budget.
The SC will hold a joint public meeting with the Town Council (TC) on May 15, and the Town Council will vote on the budget on June 6. The budget, as approved by the TC, will come before the voters on June 12.
During the public comment portion of the meeting and prior to the SC vote, Gorham residents Andy Levesque and Jim Means spoke in opposition to the proposed budget. Citing opposition to raising taxes, Means gave a number of examples of expenditures he felt were unjustified including salary increases which he described as “giving away money” to teachers. He argued that any tax increase for homeowners and businesses would discourage commercial growth. Janet Kuech, a Gorham ed tech, spoke in favor of a budget that prioritizes the needs of students.
Following the vote, SC members spoke about the budget process. All expressed appreciation to the administration team for their work in preparing a budget. Bill Benson suggested that the process would be improved by giving members parameters to use in building a budget. Increases or decreases would be based on factors such as per pupil cost, mil rate, or percentage increase.
Kyle Currier said that since population growth is a trend, the committee needs a better definition of a “need” when considering a needs-based budget. Stewart McCallister was concerned that next year’s budget will be an even greater challenge because the SC can’t keep cutting the budget for capital improvements.
Jennifer Whitehead felt that educators are having to make compromises just to meet needs, and Kate Livingston emphasized that increasing enrollment will only add to those needs. They encouraged advocating in Augusta for more state funding.
In supporting the budget, Dennis Libby said that everyone made compromises, but “the question for the School Committee is how to provide the best education for our kids,” and that through its funding decisions, the state “is systematically destroying public education which has a direct impact on our kids.”
Chairman Darryl Wright would like to provide more direction to the superintendent at the beginning of the process. He said “we need to save where we can so we can spend what we need.” There ought to be more efficiency in providing services, but he “also recognized that what we teach now is much different from what we did ten years ago.” He added, “we can’t control what Augusta does, but we know what a great school district we have and that knowledge does affect population growth.”
Administrators presented three Program Reviews on initiatives that directly benefit students. Ryan Watts, who directs Alternative Education Programing at GHS, was joined by GMS principal Bob Riley and the three K-5 school principals in describing how the district begins in the early grades to identify and help disengaged students become involved in their education and how a multi-disciplinary approach to experiential learning motivates them as they move into the upper grades.
Athletic Director Tim Spear reported that 57% of GHS students participated in at least one sport this year and that the program uses less than 2% of the school budget.
Superintendent Perry outlined the district’s Bullying Policy which defines bullying to include cyber bullying as required by Maine law. She outlined in detail the procedures used in cases of reported bullying which include: reporting the bullying in writing, conducting a full investigation, and making a determination. This is followed by a full report to the superintendent and a report to the state.
Perry also announced that there are three bills related to Proficiency Based Learning (PBL) being discussed by the state legislature, but that Gorham Schools are committed to PBL regardless of modifications made by the state.
Libby reported for the GHS Building Committee and said that the broad-based committee is working to define programmatic needs and is visiting three area high schools that were built without state funding. The committee has created an on-line interactive survey which can be accessed by going to the district website. The public is encouraged to participate in this “thought exchange” to express their views on the GHS renovation project.
Libby also reported on the first reading of the new Transportation Policy, noting that if passed next year, each K-12 student may only be assigned two pick-up and two delivery locations. The following year each of those places must be in the student’s attendance zone.
In other business, the SC voted unanimously to approve Perry’s request to make an application that informs the state that Gorham is interested in forming a regional service center with eleven other districts that could facilitate purchasing efficiencies and provide other services. The SC approved leasing two portables and reapportioning funds for installation preparation work.
The SC approved the hiring of Tom Smith, currently a Village School teacher, as the new GMS assistant principal, Samantha Clogery as a GHS guidance counselor, and coaches for lacrosse and tennis.