On April 12, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget. The $37,921,593 proposed budget represents a 4.49% increase over last year, resulting in a projected mil rate increase of 85 cents per $1,000 of valuation. This equates to an increase of approximately $257 per year for a home valued at $300,000.
After seven meetings and workshops, the SC made reductions in the budget proposed by the administration but added the expense of hiring additional teachers to maintain the existing elementary attendance zones. Other last minute increases include a 9.18% increase in health insurance, an additional $11,065 for special education due to growing enrollment, and the cost of an additional teacher retirement adding an extra $100,000 to the figure agreed upon at the April 5 workshop. Superintendent Heather Perry announced that specific budget overview data will be on the district website by April 21.
The School Committee will hold a joint meeting with the Town Council on May 16 and the Town Council vote is scheduled for June 6. The budget as approved by the Town Council will come before voters on June 13. Until the state subsidy is voted on by the legislature in June, however, the district will not know the full amount of revenue for FY18.
Although all members of the School Committee voted to approve the budget, they expressed frustration over the uncertainty caused by projected enrollment increases and lack of information on state revenue. Committee member Kyle Currier, who would like to see the district develop a comprehensive plan for world language instruction, added that “spending money for schools impacts all areas of town” with widespread benefits.
Stewart McCallister, noting that the schools were why his family moved to Gorham, hoped that the involvement of parents continues past the budget discussion, a sentiment expressed by several members. Sara Nelson said that she hoped the community realizes that while making budget decisions, “every minute we sit around this table is for all of our children.”
All SC members are concerned about the rising cost increased enrollment imposes on taxpayers. Tim Burns would like to see the SC have a more cooperative relationship with the Town Council and Dennis Libby was particularly concerned that there is no direction from the state, making it difficult to plan for the future without knowing what the revenue stream will be.
Although this is a “needs based” budget, Chairman Darryl Wright suggested that in dealing with population growth, “we need to stop acting like we are not giving our students a good education” if we don’t adopt every new program. “One need may be more important than another” and we will have to prioritize.
In other business, the Committee heard from Becky Fortier and Pastor Travis Bush from South Coast Community Church who made a presentation about We Love Gorham Day to be held on June 17. Funded by donations, the project will install handicap accessible playground equipment, including a double zip line and sand play area, at all three elementary schools.
Tim Spear, Athletic Director, gave a review of the GHS athletic program, citing particularly the state championships won by the boys golf team and the girls basketball team, but stressing the overall extent of student participation in the sports program. The school offers 29 varsity programs and 462 of 850 GHS students play at least one sport.