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Superintendent cites grants, Narcan training and major repair costs as budget priorities
Summary
Superintendent Valerie Bruneau told the Scotland Board of Education the district secured a $5,000 Opioid Reduction Grant to fund Narcan training and is pursuing a $10,000 Juul smoking-cessation grant; she also outlined several facility repair needs with wide cost ranges that will shape upcoming budget discussions.
Superintendent Valerie Bruneau told the Scotland Board of Education on Jan. 6 that several grant awards and applications and significant facility repairs will be focal points as the district finalizes budget projections.
Bruneau reported the district received a $5,000 Opioid Reduction Grant to fund Narcan training sessions open to residents of five towns, scheduled for Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. She also said the district has applied for a $10,000 Juul Grant aimed at funding a smoking-cessation program and will participate with Andover and Chaplin in EASTCONN grant-funded field trips and academic programs. A State "Drip" grant of about $30,000 is expected at the end of the year, though the superintendent said the district must confirm which items are eligible for that funding.
On facilities, Bruneau listed needed repairs and provided rough cost ranges: replacing an oil pump assembly (estimated $8,000–$44,000 for replacement or full pump station), replacing an expansion tank with an estimated $8,000–$13,000 range, replacing a seized boiler-room ceiling-fan motor (about $300), and work needed on AC outside the library. She said the district would consider funding from the 2% account, capital account and the incoming state grant as options.
Principal Ann Knowles reported current enrollment at 86 students and noted active recruiting for the early-childhood program. She also described student leadership developments, including a 12-member Student Council and a morning announcement by a sixth grader that introduced a new motto: "be responsible, be safe, be kind." The superintendent said washer and dryer equipment are operational and two new custodians are working well.
The board listed the Narcan trainings and the legislative breakfast among upcoming events and set a Feb. 3 meeting to continue budget and policy discussion.
