School Board Updates Budget with Flashing Lights and Software Cuts

The MSAD52 Board of Directors convened on March 27, 2025, to review the current budget and discuss various financial adjustments. The meeting began with a presentation by Carrie, who outlined changes made following feedback from the previous meeting.

Carrie reported that the high school guidance position has been restored to its original funding level, resulting in an increase in the budget. However, the board made several reductions, including a $5,456 cut to the IXL software used across schools, which limits the range of programming available to students. Additionally, the budget for installing flashing lights at Turner Primary School was corrected, removing a duplicate entry of $18,500, leading to a total budget decrease of $14,001.51.

The board also discussed safety measures, including the installation of flashing lights at Turner Primary School and a crosswalk near the central office, both aimed at enhancing student safety. Carrie noted that the town manager of Turner would consult with the Department of Transportation regarding the funding responsibility for these safety features.

In response to inquiries about software subscriptions, Carrie confirmed that the total expenditure on software had decreased by over $22,000 compared to the previous year, now totaling $49,006.81. This figure includes various instructional software, although some specific programs were accounted for separately.

The board revisited the regular instruction reserve account, initially established with $100,000. Carrie proposed increasing this reserve to $300,000 to provide a buffer against potential federal funding uncertainties, particularly concerning Title funding that supports several employees. There was discussion about possibly raising the reserve to $500,000, but concerns were raised about maintaining a healthy fund balance for future budgets.

Overall, the meeting focused on refining the budget to ensure financial stability while addressing immediate needs and potential future challenges. The board will continue to monitor these financial adjustments and their implications for the upcoming school year.