It is clear at this point that Maine’s schools are not immune to the budget pinch. Yesterday, Simon Thompson wrote about possible cuts to the Portland sex education program. This week several school district budget have begun to tackle funding problems. Scarborough, South Portland, Falmouth, and Cumberland are fighting a fierce battle over funding. What is going on in these communities could provide lessons for other Maine districts facing the same problems.On Wednesday night, South Portland’s superintendent delivered a budget(PDF Warning) including 31 staff cuts.
Superintendent Suzanne Godin also proposed that the Mahoney Middle School be closed in 2011, getting by partly on federal stimulus funds until this September. The closure of the Mahoney would save South Portland $900,000. South Portland would save $767,000 from their staff reductions. “None of these proposals are where we want to be,” Godin said. Godin’s budget comes in at $$39.4 million. The budget plan will also lead to an increase in class sizes.
Scarborough will be meeting at 7pm tonight discuss their proposed cuts(XLS Warning). Like South Portland, staff cuts are on tap. 54 positions are on the chopping block. One of the departments largest hit is the arts. 13.5 staff members in the arts could lose their jobs. Support staff such as ed techs and gifted and talented instructors have also been marked for reductions. One Tweeter labeled the proposed cuts with a #madness hashtag. The Scarborough Leader has chronicled recent budget discussions.
MSAD #51 (Cumberland,North Yarmouth, and Chebeague Island) is also meeting tonight. The district’s situation is no different from that of its neighbors. Though the budget has not been made public, Superintendent Robert Hasson has stated his budget will contain a 0% increase. “In spite of these fiscally challenging times,” said Hasson in a letter(PDF Warning) to district residents, “I am encouraged by the resounding support for the school district that has been voiced consistently by residents, staff and students.” Class size, program reductions, and that old friend consolidation will be discussed at tonight’s meeting.
The meetings in Scarborough and MSAD #51 may play out similarly to a meeting that occurred recently in Falmouth. Last Monday, the Falmouth Town Council held a meeting to discuss budget issues. Falmouth is facing a $900,000 general funding shortfall. Residents took issue with possible staff reductions (leading to larger class sizes), program cuts, and maintaining a general quality of education. One council member was pleased by all of the concerns raised by residents. “The teachers union representative [at the meeting] needs to hear it,” said Councilor Will Armitage. However, Armitage is concerned that teachers just don’t understand the situation Falmouth is in. “Teachers … I don’t think they get it … in trying to renegotiate their contracts,” Armitage said. “I get it, but the same old same old isn’t going to fly, like pay raises.”
The same scenes are likely to continue playing out all over Maine. Cuts will have to be made. Everything cannot be saved. The fact is, there is just no money. “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste,” said Rahm Emanuel. Maine schools are facing a serious crisis. How will Maine’s school districts cope? Do residents and teachers “get it”, as Armitage put it? Will Maine schools be able to work around the fact the the “same old same old” has drastically changed? Here’s to hoping bright sound minds prevail and lead us out of this crisis to a new way of educating.
