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RSU 35/MSAD 35 pauses universal pre-K rollout after $150,000 state grant denial
Summary
The district’s superintendent told the school board the district did not receive a $150,000 state grant intended to support a move to full-day universal pre-kindergarten, and recommended delaying commitments until state funding is clearer; estimated local cost to implement was roughly $600,000, or about a 3% local tax increase if fully locally funded.
The superintendent reported that the district did not receive a $150,000 state grant aimed at helping RSU 35/MSAD 35 move toward a full‑day universal pre‑kindergarten program, and urged the board to slow planning and limit commitments while awaiting state funding information. “We did not get that Grant,” the superintendent said, explaining that the loss significantly affects budgeting and the timing of any rollout.
The superintendent laid out a rough staffing and cost estimate for moving to full‑day universal pre‑K: five sections at Central School (versus three currently) and two additional sections at another elementary, with an estimated need for about four teachers and several educational technicians. He said the district’s ballpark figure for those additional staff and supports is around $600,000 and noted that absorbing that amount locally would equate to roughly a 3% increase on the local tax rate under current assumptions. “So you're probably talking about about $400,000 for four teachers ... and then ... about $50,000 educational technicians so that's a $600,000 impact,” he said.
Board members responded that it would be prudent to pause active rollout plans until the district receives clearer state subsidy information. One member said it would be unfair to ask taxpayers to cover an unplanned 3% increase and advocated placing the initiative on the "back burner" for about six weeks while the district awaits state budget guidance. The superintendent said he plans to report back in early February after additional state figures and subsidy decisions are released.
The superintendent also flagged programmatic and operational risks should the district proceed without stable multi‑year funding: staffing commitments could create ongoing obligations parents come to expect, and cohort‑one obligations under the state's free‑and‑appropriate‑education transition (the district is in cohort one for early education responsibilities) add uncertainty about what the state will ultimately fund. He emphasized the district is trying to avoid creating expectations that it may not be able to meet.
The board and staff discussed interim options, including phased expansion and leveraging current CDs programming and space to partially accommodate growth if the board decides to move ahead later. The superintendent noted the district had posted a state‑funded Early Education IEP coordinator position, which would be fully funded by the state if filled.
Next steps: The superintendent will return with updated state funding figures and a refined cost estimate after early February budget signals. No formal board motion or vote to change district policy or budgeting for pre‑K was recorded at the meeting.
