School Board Approves Creation of Pre K Special Education Coordinator Position

The MSAD52 Board of Directors made significant strides in their recent meeting on May 1, 2025, focusing on enhancing educational services and financial management for the district. A key decision was the approval to create a Pre-K Special Education Coordinator position, which will oversee the provision of services for three- and four-year-olds with special needs. This initiative is mandated by law and aims to ensure that students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) receive the necessary support. The position will be funded through a separate budget from the state, allowing the district to allocate resources effectively without impacting the general budget.

In addition to this, the board discussed the transition from the state’s family medical leave plan to a private plan with MetLife. This change is projected to save the district and its employees approximately $130,000 over the next year. The new plan offers lower rates and will allow the district to opt out of contributions until May 2026, providing financial relief during a critical period.

The board also reviewed the budget development process for the upcoming fiscal year, reflecting on the effectiveness of recent changes that consolidated budget discussions into fewer, more intensive workshops. Board members expressed a desire for earlier engagement in the budget process to provide clearer guidance to administration, ensuring that staff are present during critical discussions, particularly at the end of the budget cycle.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to improving educational services and financial efficiency, with plans to implement these changes in the coming months. The next steps include finalizing the job description for the new coordinator position and continuing discussions on the budget process to enhance transparency and stakeholder involvement.