A school staff member briefed the Finance Committee on the district’s FY27 budget planning, saying staff requests have been collected and department heads will review them over the winter. The official said the district added a rule this cycle that budget requests must show alignment to the strategic plan before advancing.

The presenter said teacher contract negotiations are the largest outstanding item and could materially change the budget. “We meet the day we get back from vacation, January 5,” the school presenter said, and both sides hope to reach a compromise quickly so salary figures can be included in the FY27 proposal.

The presenter listed capital and program needs that will affect the next budget, including full replacement of the schools’ intercom system tied to a new emergency-management plan and continued instructional-technology updates. The district did not receive a federal grant it pursued and is re-evaluating how to finance those upgrades.

A major policy change cited to the committee was a recent state law requiring school departments to assume Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) case management for 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds by 2028. The school staff member said the district will phase in four‑year‑olds in FY27, then add three‑year‑olds in FY28, and is joining “cohort 3” of districts taking on four‑year‑old services. The presenter warned the change will require more staff, coordination with service providers and added space in pre‑K settings, and will introduce MaineCare billing responsibilities for some services.

On transportation facilities, the presenter said the school’s bus-garage lease on Bucksport Road expires this spring; the district is negotiating renewal options and exploring an alternate property with the city, but any change will be reflected in upcoming budgets.

The presenter said the district plans to take the transition plan for four‑year‑olds to the school board for approval before implementation and will present the full budget to the council in March.

Next step: department heads will finalize line items over the winter; teacher negotiations and state subsidy figures expected in January will guide final FY27 proposals.