[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6278334,"mediaKeyId","2641423-45f76d433a42563072e407174e4db7d2","parentId",2641423,"title","RSU 5 budget proposal would cut staff, prompt Freeport Middle School schedule changes to preserve class sizes","audioSeconds",6181,"startMs",1385000,"endMs",7566000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641423-45f76d433a42563072e407174e4db7d2&start=1385&end=7566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641423-45f76d433a42563072e407174e4db7d2/thumbnail_1385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278334/Maine/RSU-5-budget-proposal-would-cut-staff-prompt-Freeport-Middle-School-schedule-changes-to-preserve-class-sizes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278334-3c1f407c362526b8fe41fe810f3950ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161524&Signature=mQ4rax4ciUAY09pcnLugUuQjLjyAJSvWELM4lQeakVXiZlD0VzqdOl3oAGv1Ca8fCHf3V69i0PuKCXCRvdT2CqHQt8e2gGZEwGziXSN6APdXMtH0ZYrFPr4g9gZ-7LKjFnUy-d9BfUyYTqOvaQiZ8PCKW6mUvjqWUuI9kNNESd2Y~VGB8-LXaE~iSP-JMJw30FCmWAPI3Ys6fgoze1l7H1zcx~nEVZGhIdSEx098YDhFb57DXiyRQc4QKQ6k3csyePCl2RHxRPflC1927w3nHqk9YJOiwu4RUASURIotrgg7vdPrE7jaKJuzduE-M0zp1-yq9VY5YnYSo3jgyH-3wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 05","date","2025-03-13T13:40:36Z","article","RSU 5 Superintendent Michelle (last name not stated), presenting the FY26 proposed budget at the board's March 12 meeting at Freeport High School, told the board the revised operating request would represent a 5.72% year-over-year increase and that administrators were recommending a mix of staffing adjustments and schedule changes to stay fiscally responsible while maintaining core programming.

The administration said it has proposed several staffing adjustments to meet budget priorities while preserving programming and student supports. Among the changes discussed were withdrawing a prior proposal to combine two 0.5 RTI positions at Freeport Middle School, reducing one multilingual/ESOL teacher position districtwide from an initial 1.0 FTE request to 0.5 FTE, and not filling a substitute custodian position (a $42,995 reduction noted in the packet). Dr. Fournier, Freeport Middle School principal, presented two alternate schedules the school's leadership and scheduling committee developed to absorb staffing reductions without increasing core class sizes.

Why this matters: The recommended adjustments would change how Freeport Middle School delivers unified arts, science and wellness instruction and how multilingual learners are staffed across buildings. Board members and members of the public said the proposals merit careful scrutiny because they directly affect classroom schedules, staff assignments and supports for students who need intervention or language services.

Details of the middle school proposals
Dr. Fournier said the scheduling work was driven by a values survey and a short planning timeline. The administration presented two options the middle school says would produce manageable class sizes while reducing workforce needs.

- Option 1 would keep more of the current unified arts rotation but yield several ELA sections with larger enrollments (mid-20s in some classes), and would not guarantee a consistent STEM teacher for grade 8.
- Option 2 would move to a six-period daily rotation so math and ELA would meet each day and STEM/science would be offered daily at each grade level; the administration and the scheduling committee said that option produces class-size targets in the high teens to low 20s (roughly 18'20 students) and would allow the school to cover core instruction with one fewer full-time equivalent teacher than currently staffed in the building.

Dr. Fournier and the scheduling committee told the board the second option would require rethinking the unified arts rotation (art, music, wellness, languages, JMG) and embedding some wellness/health standards into other parts of the day (for example, science, PE or advisory) so students still receive required health instruction.

Multilingual learners and related staffing
Superintendent Michelle said district data show 49 students currently receive direct ESOL services and 11 are being monitored; the packet showed the district's current ESOL staffing as a mix of full- and part-time positions (the high school listed 1.0 FTE, the middle school and Mass Landing together 1.0 FTE, Durham/Moore Street 1.0 FTE, and Pownall none). Michelle said the administration revised an initial reduction from 1.0 FTE to 0.5 FTE for the district ESOL position after additional analysis. Several principals present told the board their recommendation is for a higher staffing level (they reported recommending about 0.8 FTE for next year); administrators and principals disagreed on the precise FTE that would best cover projected student needs and travel between schools.

Public comment and board reaction
Several members of the public spoke to the board before and during the budget discussion. Freeport resident and parent Valerie Williams said she had heard a proposal to cut Freeport Middle School science and support staff and urged the board to reconsider, saying, \"to even consider cutting it is egregious.\" Daniel Freund, a resident who spoke earlier in the meeting, asked the board to review a third-party analysis of employee health insurance but did not tie that request to a formal budget motion; he said he believed the district could achieve large insurance savings and offered to meet with the board.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the assumptions behind the schedules and the feasibility of pulling wellness standards into other courses. Several trustees praised middle school staff for developing the options quickly; others said they were reluctant to approve cuts affecting direct student supports without further information. One board member summarized the middle school presentation by saying the team had proposed ways to deliver required content with fewer full-time staff but acknowledged the approach depends on schedule and program redesign that still requires follow-up.

What happens next
Superintendent Michelle asked the board what follow-up information it wanted; members requested additional cost/run-rate scenarios showing the tax impacts of retaining certain positions (for example, keeping the middle school positions or increasing ESOL staffing to principals' recommended levels). The board plans another budget deliberation at its next meeting and aims, if possible, to settle on a proposed budget to present at the public hearing on March 26.

Ending: The discussion closed with no final vote on staffing; trustees asked staff for more targeted cost scenarios and for clearer class-size implications before any final adoption.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2026-03-12 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","RSU 5 Superintendent Michelle (last name not stated), presenting the FY26 proposed budget at the board's March 12 meeting at Freeport High School, told the board the revised operating request would represent a 5.72% year-over-year increase and that administrators were recommending a mix of staffing adjustments and schedule changes to stay fiscally responsible while maintaining core programming.","taxTitle","RSU 05, School Districts, Maine","taxId",38829,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278324,"RSU 5 board approves three policy second reads and appoints transportation director",9261,1319000,10580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641423-45f76d433a42563072e407174e4db7d2&start=1319&end=10580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641423-45f76d433a42563072e407174e4db7d2/thumbnail_1319000.jpg","/articles/6278324/Maine/RSU-5-board-approves-three-policy-second-reads-and-appoints-transportation-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278324-d62430f39f3cf31bca4aa7d7e6f7d9aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161524&Signature=UBdgGtsOgSKglzydyV4fhRcRcv~qIai-jrqWxNPZ-CRQRQudAxKC3KBp1eoOnsFLUZBNSBeOHALhikWXlSoHV6ilbeaZ6GuWvhx~s~hJLRuBHMKet8XhEoBoHL~duGmonQ8MwCXtWa21KeSmwnImLF3Ev7xKcndEpkn1QLDJIVLDMOLdVX1PWPaL7BcRl33GiC-LdGUAsEBjyzfhiSMxLb0Wm-Qnw58L645byf~fXS0ZxSAxQiHByE1oYuiKit3aLeTT5oLUrM3fJ8vcZEJudDT2cZjXEQVnycPBrYnEoYCDKPPhQWU3cH4eynhKvLAwzvfkvJPQdtkwR6oDGZjkFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The RSU 5 board of directors voted on several procedural items at its March 12 meeting in the Freeport High School library.

Minutes and policy second reads
The board approved the minutes of its Feb. 26, 2025 meeting as presented. Later in the agenda, trustees put three policies up for second reading and approval. The policies and outcomes were:

- EEA, \"Student Transportation Services\"
- EEA, \"Student Transportation Employee Requirements, Training and Responsibilities\"
- GCOA, \"Supervision and Evaluation of Professional Staff\"

The policies were brought forward on second read after earlier first-read approval; the board recorded the second-read vote as unanimous with \"none opposed.\" A board member moved the motion and another member seconded it on the record (the transcript identifies the mover as Beth and the seconder as Maura for the second reads).

Appointment of director of transportation
The board considered and approved a motion to employ Jeremy Arsenal as director of transportation. The motion was moved, seconded and approved; the transcript records the vote as unanimous with no dissent.

Why this matters: The policy approvals make modest but concrete changes to district student-transportation procedures and to staff evaluation language; the permanent appointment of the transportation director moves an interim manager into a permanent administrative role, providing operational continuity for bus and vehicle operations.

Meeting record
All motions recorded in the meeting transcript were approved with unanimous or no-opposed votes as announced by the chair. No roll-call vote totals by name were recorded in the transcript for these items.

Ending: Trustees proceeded to further budget deliberations and to a public comment period after the recorded votes.

","At its March 12 meeting the RSU 5 board approved second readings of three policies on student transportation and staff evaluation and named Jeremy Arsenal as director of transportation; all votes were recorded as unanimous in the meeting transcript.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278329,"RSU 5 shifts capital plan to protect life-safety projects, delays some work pending funding clarity",726,5820000,6546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641423-45f76d433a42563072e407174e4db7d2&start=5820&end=6546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641423-45f76d433a42563072e407174e4db7d2/thumbnail_5820000.jpg","/articles/6278329/Maine/RSU-5-shifts-capital-plan-to-protect-life-safety-projects-delays-some-work-pending-funding-clarity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278329-cfa41bf7b090a68a6b71889e08edd1e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161524&Signature=ksrJy0yJLnh9ZdHNrJPB5bexJvLGXBQmyD3TqIx1rzqRBIbbCR2-VJtlVWqQuC~3W2akUS5nDqotvgt~dh6rWwQX5yry75iJwkZBcE9GdJ5rGDwXMcAS3JXZT5mfiIJ-XsGcvLMDhZHtSqXyXt6YvDw7ppP0Vuqrf3LGHGXYEPwH27JT4SwJt4t~2vg3YVy7mNJhv-aeKag3tQwKNl0VCJ9gnY27ZpKtOsOy1tconipyPq5OyGxPF9wifjgzDSxkRpcwpYYWxjhaPFqFToWrTzBaYuG5v1oti9wqTbU3UQSGp5NpqD~cQNjM0~eNCmQTvIrVRgAj~ExXvrqbdbi3aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Michelle told the RSU 5 board on March 12 that facilities and finance committees had recommended a revised approach to the district's Phase 1 energy-audit and capital projects after receiving updated vendor pricing.

The adjusted plan would use a portion of the district's undesignated fund balance to complete the most urgent life-safety items this fiscal year and move roughly $1 million into two reserve accounts (Article 1 and Article 2 reserves) to protect salary and benefit obligations covered by federal funds. The administration proposed using local capital dollars to complete phone and paging upgrades this year and to hold cameras and some door-access projects in the capital reserve until the board had more clarity on federal funding sources.

Why this matters: The shift is intended to let the district complete high-priority safety work now (for example, replacing end-of-life AEDs and addressing critical door or fire-access issues) while preserving a buffer for staff costs that otherwise could be exposed if anticipated federal funds do not arrive. The maneuver also limits immediate borrowing for additional capital projects and keeps the district within the state's recommended undesignated fund threshold.

Key elements and costs
- Superintendent Michelle and staff said EMC and other vendors returned updated, slightly lower pricing for the Phase 1 items after additional vendor input.
- The administration proposed funding AED replacements immediately from current funds because replacement parts were no longer available for older units; Michelle said, \"Our proposal is to take that out and take care of that this year.\" The board agreed AEDs were a near-term priority.
- Phones and paging were proposed to be completed from local capital (the packet shows a local capital baseline of $475,000 that would be modestly increased).
- Cameras and door-access projects would be placed in the capital reserve; the board would revisit their timing once federal funding and project contingencies are clearer.
- The plan leaves bus/vehicle replacement schedules intact.

Board rationale and committee input
Members of the joint finance and facilities committee said the change reduces immediate borrowing risk while still allowing priority life-safety fixes. The committee recommended splitting the original $2.4 million undesignated-fund proposal so some funds are placed in reserves for personnel/federal-funding contingencies and the remainder moved into the capital reserve to preserve the ability to complete other Phase 1 projects in future years.

Follow-up and next steps
Board members asked staff to clarify the legal and voter-approval mechanisms required to move funds between reserve accounts; Michelle said the administration would consult the district attorney and return with the mechanics and a clearer funding flow for the next meeting. Trustees also asked staff to provide a clear list of the projects being paused, their current condition and the timeline needed if those projects became urgent.

Ending: The board signaled support for completing immediate life-safety items (AEDs, critical door/fire-access needs and paging/phone upgrades) and for placing other projects into a capital reserve pending funding clarity; no final appropriation vote was taken at the March 12 meeting.

","The RSU 5 board discussed a revised capital strategy on March 12 that moves roughly $1 million of undesignated funds into reserves for personnel and safety purposes, prioritizes AED replacements and door/fire-access work this year, and pauses some camera and door-access purchases until federal funding is clearer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RSU 5 budget proposal would cut staff, prompt Freeport Middle School schedule changes to preserve class sizes

RSU 5 board approves three policy second reads and appoints transportation director

RSU 5 shifts capital plan to protect life-safety projects, delays some work pending funding clarity