Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RSU 04 budget review focuses on transportation costs, new bus garage lines and SRO contract increase
Summary
Board members and staff ran a detailed line‑by‑line budget review across system administration, school administration, transportation, facilities and other cost centers; discussion highlighted the new bus garage budget lines, a possible $185,000 annual cost for outsourced special‑ed transportation, a projected 10–16% insurance and SRO contract increase, and efforts to reduce postage by pushing parents to electronic reports.
RSU 04 leadership led trustees through an extended, line‑by‑line budget review spanning cost centers 6–11.
Business manager Sam and Superintendent Marco summarized cost center 6 (system administration) and 7 (school administration), flagging health‑insurance and PFML premium increases and modest year‑over‑year growth in central administration. Sam said software costs were reallocated to program‑specific lines so budgets better reflect which departments use which platforms.
Transport and bus garage: Transportation director Sheena and staff briefed the board on cost center 8. The district has added explicit bus‑garage lines this year (lease, utilities, disposal and liquid fuel to heat the garage), reallocated half of a bus‑driver position to a bus‑mechanic line and adjusted equipment and fuel projections. Sheena said the district is reducing external repairs by doing more work in‑house and has contracted for AAA inspections and camera subscriptions (Armor).
Special‑education transportation drew sustained attention. Board member Scott said the district pays roughly $185,000 for contracted special‑ed transportation and asked whether bringing that service in‑house (vans and drivers) could save money. Staff said an in‑house analysis is feasible but complex: vendors provide flexible on‑demand routing and scheduling across many start times and locations; in‑house provision would require multiple vehicles, drivers, aids and administrative scheduling support. Staff agreed to compile route counts, mileage and a provider breakdown but warned that the request is a significant data task.
Facilities and SRRF: Facilities director Sean and Sam reviewed cost center 9, noting a projected 10% increase in building and contents insurance and a new SRRF payment for the Libby Toer secure‑vestibule project. Sam said grounds and fields maintenance lines were moved from another cost center for clarity.
Other points: Board members asked about postage and paper report cards; staff said the district is rolling out Reach My Teach and expanded electronic reporting to drive parents to digital delivery which may cut the roughly $14,150 postage line. Members also flagged conference dues, PFML employer shares for board members, and travel reimbursement lines for custodial staff that the board asked staff to verify.
On security, the contracted school resource officer (SRO) contract was shown with a projected 16% increase (about $23,000) tied to county negotiations; the board asked staff for the comparative CBA and additional detail about SRO duties and coverage across schools.
The budget workshop was concentrated and technical; board members requested follow‑up data for transportation routes, no‑show charges, contracted provider staffing counts, and a consolidated figure showing savings attributable to the Sabbatis Primary closure. Staff said they would supply those details in follow‑up materials.
