Scotland Board hears draft budget; superintendent warns it may cut two teaching positions

Superintendent Valerie Bruneau told the Scotland Board of Education on Dec. 3 that the district will present a draft budget at the board's January meeting and that it may reduce two teaching positions because of decreased enrollment. "Draft budget will be presented at January meeting (potential reduction of 2 teachers due to decreased enrollment)," Bruneau reported.

Principal Ann Knowles said enrollment stood at 91 students in-district (99 including outplaced and STEM students) and reported that School Readiness is full at 18 slots. Knowles described ongoing family engagement programs and afterschool activity levels — about 28 students regularly attend the afterschool program, a tree-lighting drew roughly 75 community members, and 22 families attended Art Night — and said teacher evaluations are under way. Special Education Director Dawn Davis reported a special education census of 28 students with individualized education programs and two students in the referral process.

Board members and administrators discussed non-budget items tied to operations: planned maintenance work including a roofer and solar-company inspection, replacement of outdoor lights, a repaired part at a fire-alarm pull station, pricing for floor-cleaning equipment, and two scheduled water quality tests. Bruneau also noted that contract negotiations will resume on Jan. 2.

The board did not take action on the budget at the Dec. 3 meeting; the next steps are the presentation of the draft budget at the January meeting and subsequent discussion and deliberation by board members.