[{"_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",6227179,"mediaKeyId","3494170-831a93d6cca2298359eee7169471fdff","parentId",3494170,"title","RSU 40/MSAD 40 finance committee recommends summer capital projects, including central biomass plant","audioSeconds",1487,"startMs",1813000,"endMs",3300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3494170-831a93d6cca2298359eee7169471fdff&start=1813&end=3300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3494170-831a93d6cca2298359eee7169471fdff/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227179/Maine/RSU-40MSAD-40-finance-committee-recommends-summer-capital-projects-including-central-biomass-plant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227179-b65cd191a33778c1229c278e6e198d97/orig.mp4?Expires=1777145805&Signature=Qihb8rvSsts5NN-FdxVlbVGm5z~4uIXJaUIWhV2w3piogAV9pVZiBFmz5mzJub5OchKHLOz4JKZsFfXcvOkKZ5j7C~EHO0Yuf9I0Gwlzx5DXLeSjsHnvOpjFI-P8jKEmrkDQWaNmlbNLqjzRRiPWWvjJDCvMvFxDFUoN~lWIQWka3rYBRtkLOU53S0HEJZouXiMjpZXQpiVacJzqe~t9b8i4DtSPW~y0V3aeWnlDDykniy~qvnTfM5lB5VFpOlVyhdxKNWA16-06k9UILdTBwznur~KhKTc6FMgCXuRA7Fb9kIEb0CrCAk~l7bGVvkoYUeHtYixUuAwcG6amcORR9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 40/MSAD 40","date","2025-05-24T16:42:57.24Z","article","RSU 40/MSAD 40’s finance committee recommended that the district board approve a package of summer capital-improvement projects that would replace failing systems and add energy upgrades, including a new septic field at the high school and a central biomass heating plant with propane backup.

The recommendation came after a presentation by Energy Efficiency Investments staff on the scope, phasing and funding for projects planned for summer 2025 and into 2026, including controls upgrades, insulation work, window replacement and ventilation improvements at multiple schools.

Energy Efficiency Investments’ project lead Carrie Worms, who presented the plan, said the work responds to older, end-of-life equipment and is being phased to fit the district’s budget and available grants. “Starting in the fall, really, we’ve been looking at how to take that large immediate need project list and break it up into projects that make the most sense to do throughout the next few summers,” Worms said. She described a three-phase approach that started in summer 2024 and continues through 2026–27.

Worms said the proposals include work already under way—controls upgrades at Union and conversion of pneumatic controls at Miller—and larger summer projects such as a replacement septic disposal field at the high school sited next to the softball fields so “we are not going to be touching that tree farm.” She said the new disposal field will use concrete chambers and be returned to level ground so it can still be used for practice space.

The plan also calls for a central biomass plant located on the high-school campus that would serve the high school and middle school. Jeremy Kilburn, introduced as a project manager with EEI, described the plant as an enclosed building with a rake feed system and no outdoor silo. Kilburn said the plant would be piped underground across campus, take the two schools off oil and use wood chips as the primary fuel with propane as backup.

The presenters said the biomass option came with a $300,000 rebate from Efficiency Maine and an anticipated annual payment to the district of about $15,000 from Maine’s thermal renewable-energy-credit program (TREC) based on verified usage. “Part of what made it so appealing is we were able to get a $300,000 rebate from Efficiency Maine for a large biomass system, as well as around $15,000 a year through the main thermal rack called the TREC program,” Worms said.

Presenters also described project financing. Worms said the district plans a tax-exempt lease-purchase to cover some work and provided cost context for earlier items: “that will bring the total yearly payment, which includes energy savings at $65,000 and the $15,000, up to 510,000,” she said. The presentation noted the district will continue to seek revolving renovation grants and other state programs to reduce local costs.

On grants and competitive funding, Worms said the district has experience with the state revolving-renovation program and last cycle received roughly half the available funds: “Of the $4,000,000 that was available last year cycle, our project received $2,000,000,” she said, and staff plan to submit applications for ventilation and air-handler work at Union, Friendship and Miller in October and expect awards in February if successful.

Committee members asked facility and finance questions about retrofit needs and supply logistics for biomass fuel. Kilburn said the heating distribution in the schools will use existing piping and that the high-school boiler room will be demoed and freed up for other uses once the central plant is online. Committee members raised sourcing concerns for wood chips and community messaging; presenters said they would get multiple quotes for fuel and that staff would develop outreach materials and a possible ground-breaking or press release to explain the projects to voters.

The finance committee proceeded to recommend the package to the school board. During the meeting, a committee member asked, “Do we wanna go and make a recommendation that to the board to approve capital improvement summer projects?” and the group called for approval; the meeting record shows the committee moved to recommend approval though a formal roll-call vote was not recorded in the transcript.

Next steps described in the meeting: staff will finish design and procurement for summer work, prepare revolving-renovation grant applications due in October, and produce a public-facing summary for the district website and mailers ahead of the budget vote.

Why it matters: the projects target failing mechanical systems and ventilation issues the district has tracked for years, seek to reduce future heating fuel costs, and rely on a mix of local financing and state incentives that affect the district’s annual budget and long-term maintenance costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee 2025 05 15 16 28 EDT Recording","oneSentenceSummary","RSU 40/MSAD 40’s finance committee recommended that the district board approve a package of summer capital-improvement projects that would replace failing systems and add energy upgrades, including a new septic field at the high school and a central biomass heating plant with propane backup.","taxTitle","RSU 40/MSAD 40, School Districts, Maine","taxId",68150,"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},6227169,"RSU 40 finance committee recommends private family medical leave insurance to reduce district and employee costs",312,3258000,3570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3494170-831a93d6cca2298359eee7169471fdff&start=3258&end=3570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3494170-831a93d6cca2298359eee7169471fdff/thumbnail_3258000.jpg","/articles/6227169/Maine/RSU-40-finance-committee-recommends-private-family-medical-leave-insurance-to-reduce-district-and-employee-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227169-3c58752348018d4fef67077f21160044/orig.mp4?Expires=1777145805&Signature=oGkwo5jNnrnO6srSae3Z6~5wiVbRZEGj4WqLcmub5jWj5WyJNlMRk8Fw9tH98qBeLT5RvC8PPoe6iRyKXGOIp8g5ZZOWDo2yTT~ezbVHmmw20zn8WMaLjNEMcWyAwgV3g6W5uPzR4njHNpynQptQ76nQA4mvksCGLABvx6U-YVBHe1a2daOB-ps-CWNzPxX43MCESQk0~SuV5VYCLBMrzcpgKqgT9aDdk2oSIEAdnazZiP4McZR5uLPSHr5nK5SsS7aQqTnVKY~1YzXi0-s4CSjrsgRquCNMZYBORq4grx60FBMvWxjMS4QVwnSU8hIl4REqZnlyOgFp-qW5Bu2gvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The RSU 40/MSAD 40 finance committee recommended that the district pursue a private insurance option for family medical leave instead of enrolling in the state program, after staff summarized a presentation by MSMA and projected cost savings.

A district presenter told the committee that, based on a review with MSMA, using a private carrier would allow the district to defer certain costs for 13 months and would save “approximately $122,000 for the district and equal amount for the employees,” while committing the district to a three-year contract with the vendor. The presenter said private carriers are more accustomed to administering short- and long-term leave and require more employee data for underwriting, but offered the potential for lower percentages charged to the district.

The committee discussed timing and the rollout schedule. Staff noted that the statutory timeline for benefits means employees will not be eligible to use the benefit until the effective dates already set by law (one staff timeline referenced coverage beginning May 1, 2026 for some groups); paying into a private plan does not accelerate individual eligibility. A committee member confirmed the district could return to the state plan after the three-year commitment if renewal prices changed.

Committee members called for the recommendation to move to the board. The transcript shows the committee discussed the motion and then called for approval; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting excerpt.

Why it matters: choosing a private carrier affects both district costs and employee benefits administration, and a multi-year commitment could limit flexibility at future renewal points.","Committee members recommended the district pursue private insurance for family medical leave after a presentation the committee said could save roughly $122,000 for the district and a similar amount for employees, subject to a three-year commitment to the private carrier.",{"_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},6227175,"RSU 40/MSAD 40 finance committee reviews warrants, Medicaid billing and transportation reimbursements",1246,51000,1297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3494170-831a93d6cca2298359eee7169471fdff&start=51&end=1297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3494170-831a93d6cca2298359eee7169471fdff/thumbnail_51000.jpg","/articles/6227175/Maine/RSU-40MSAD-40-finance-committee-reviews-warrants-Medicaid-billing-and-transportation-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227175-a5e07cec7164d6b79bb1c5a4dce523e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1777145805&Signature=ViTkWLVcdtn2xEemuUZQR5wNopUovwjeIi~PC7OCuyc4MVF6EyDI4gWfqVxO336NfOk7wyjlK0Fgr~gi9owrYBxMJWYPYL9SmH-e4wOBBE20fL8AfbTUMDvCQlLAucd2~0SomIkz~iFo2HMGpBLyrhwtHNtPROLfRCX-mkyIqZU95gNWi-MVwBtYf6NrX6cXjcTKB3SXBtWPrTjY~3P5JOX5FCx5YcxR6IYIQoPuGi1qp3dsqGwwXHLAovqb5v4AWDxnHxI5LrAP9i5oOEz8kk294qS6WjtycABqlUujJcpic8pwg2rYTETFmRI-rx0p14q-VdCkuFaheT0E3aqHYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The RSU 40/MSAD 40 finance committee reviewed warrants and the district’s April financial statements, discussed a multi-month lag in state billing for billable services, and clarified circumstances under which guardians are reimbursed to transport students to special-purpose private schools.

During the meeting, a district finance presenter said the district had received some revenue but was carrying a negative on a specific reimbursement line and that another approximately $5,052,000 was pending from state billing processes. “I looked at it with Karen and Casey the other day, and there’s about another $5,052,000 pending,” the presenter said, noting a typical one- to two-month lag while the state processes submitted billing data.

Committee members reviewed line-item warrants and questioned several entries, including a roughly $12,000 vehicle-repair billing for bus 4 sent to a local repair vendor; the presenter said an offsetting insurance check would accompany that repair cost. The committee also discussed small vendor codes used for student awards and other miscellaneous charges when W-9 paperwork is impractical.

Committee members asked about fuel procurement for next year and were told the district cannot lock diesel or gasoline prices at this time. The presenter said the district could not lock into diesel or gas pricing under current contracts: “Neither” could be locked in, she said.

On student transportation, committee members asked how many guardians the district reimburses to transport students to special-purpose private schools. A committee discussion identified roughly three guardians who are reimbursed in some circumstances because, in those cases, it was cheaper or more practical than providing consolidated van service. One commenter identified by first name in the record, Naomi, was described as a guardian who regularly complains about bus service and who receives reimbursement for transporting one child to a special-purpose private school in Camden. District staff emphasized that special transportation is determined by the IEP team; a parent request alone does not create eligibility. “To qualify for special transportation, the IOP team has to make that determination. The parent can’t request it or demand it, and they are part of the team, but the team has to determine what that’s required for that student,” a district speaker said.

Committee members also reviewed program budgets and variances: improvement-of-instruction was reported at about 62% remaining for the year, stipends for mentors typically pay out at the end of the year, and food-service revenue lags the program by roughly two months because of billing timing. The presenter said adult-education programs have carried individual fund balances and that current managers have improved performance in recent years.

No formal roll-call votes on warrants were recorded in the transcript excerpted for this meeting; the committee moved through the warrant review and then moved on to financial statements and later action items.

Why it matters: the items discussed affect the district’s near-term cash flow and budget planning (pending state receipts, reimbursements and program variances), and clarification about transportation eligibility explains when the district is obligated to provide or reimburse special-transport services.","Committee members reviewed warrants and monthly financial statements, discussed delayed state billing and pending Medicaid/related services receipts, and asked about parent reimbursements for special-purpose private-school transportation and repair costs to a district bus.","actionData","errors"]

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RSU 40/MSAD 40 finance committee recommends summer capital projects, including central biomass plant

RSU 40 finance committee recommends private family medical leave insurance to reduce district and employee costs

RSU 40/MSAD 40 finance committee reviews warrants, Medicaid billing and transportation reimbursements