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Winslow schools face $1.1 million shortfall

No programs would be eliminated; no schools urged to be closed

By Scott Monroe smonroe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

WINSLOW -- More than 100 people gathered Monday night to learn how badly Winslow schools will be hit by a looming budget shortfall.

They got their answer: $1.12 million.

What's not certain, though, is how that shortfall will ultimately translate into budget cuts. School Superintendent Eric Haley unveiled his list of proposed cuts to the School Committee and the audience, saying his proposals would not eliminate any programs but would result in some layoffs and cuts to popular budgets, such as athletics.

Residents, parents, students and teachers offered their own thoughts, sometimes criticizing the proposed cuts as unfair, while others suggested other ideas on how the schools can shave costs.

"This is a dire situation we're in," Haley said, adding that school officials would consider other cost-cutting suggestions in the coming weeks. "We're in this together. We want to make the best possible decision for the children as we can."

School officials are proposing a $14.91 million school budget that's up 1.23 percent over current spending.

Haley said deep reductions in state education aid are largely to blame for the budget shortfall: Winslow is now estimated to receive $691,280 less in state and school revenue compared with last year, which is a 7 percent reduction, Haley said.

The $1.12 million in proposed cuts include proposals such as:

* Not replacing four retiring teachers and one ed tech ($248,026) and paying for five special-education technicians and a teacher with one-time federal stimulus money ($166,460)

* Laying off one custodian, three high school teachers and ed tech, and one teacher at the elementary school ($249,491)

* Cutting in half spending on all textbooks ($43,692); reducing expenses on technology and physical education equipment ($57,389); cutting 20 percent of all supply expenses ($41,060) and 10 percent from the athletics budget ($40,397)

* Eliminating staff raises ($80,724) and off-site staff development ($28,470)

The proposals drew mixed responses from audience members. Some questioned why the high school would be hit with more staff reductions than the other schools and how that would affect classroom sizes.

Others suggested that, instead of laying off teachers, bigger cuts should first be made to non-core education programs such as athletics. Still others wondered whether the schools should be charging fees for sports or extra-curricular activities under a so-called "pay-to-play" arrangement. Haley said he is personally opposed to pay-to-play because athletic programs provide "strong adult interaction" for students and such fees could discourage students from poor families not to participate.

Another idea that was suggested, and which school officials said they are studying, is imposing furlough, or "shut down," days for all employees -- much like the state government has done. Haley said he estimates a furlough day would result in about $45,000 in savings per day.

Outspoken resident Phil St. Onge criticized the shared budget for Alternative Organizational District 92, which includes schools in Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow, but he praised the work done on Winslow's individual budget.

"I think this is a good set of cuts, under the circumstances. I think you have done a great job keeping it as far away from the kids as you can," St. Onge said.

School officials are scheduled to meet with the Winslow Town Council March 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Office to review the proposed cuts. The School Committee will meet again April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Winslow Junior High School library.

Scott Monroe -- 861-9253

smonroe@centralmaine.com