Superintendent warns of tight budget year; district thanks longtime facilities head
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Kron told the committee the governor's budget makes for another tight year for Rockland Public Schools and said staff are preparing to be 'lean'; the committee also recognized longtime head of maintenance Mark Shaw for 10 years of service.
Superintendent Dr. Kron told the committee that the governor’s budget has created uncertainty and the district is preparing for another tight budget year. He said specific numbers were not yet known but staff and principals have been notified and the district intends to be "as lean and as we possibly can" to manage a likely deficit.
Dr. Kron thanked town staff, including Doug Lapp and town hall personnel, for their ongoing commitment to the schools during fiscal strain. “We are a delicate ecosystem,” he said, stressing the difficulty of trimming resources without harming programs or daily operations.
Dr. Kron also announced that Mark Shaw, the district’s head of maintenance and facilities for 10 years, is leaving. He praised Shaw’s contributions to building projects and maintenance, saying Shaw ‘‘saved us millions of dollars’’ through in-house project management and by keeping buildings operational during major repairs.
Colleagues including Jane and another committee member echoed the appreciation, calling Shaw’s service inspirational and noting his steady presence over the past decade. The committee did not announce a replacement or timeline for filling the facilities head role.
What happens next: the district will continue budget planning and communication with school leaders; staffing and facilities succession planning were not detailed during the meeting.
