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New RSU 18 superintendent outlines focus on facilities, budget transparency
Summary
Andrew Carlton, introduced as RSU 18 superintendent, told the Belgrade Select Board the district’s priorities are building safety, reliable buses and fiscal transparency as the district enters budget season; he said RSU 18 serves roughly 2,700 students and is focusing on reserve use and staffing needs.
Andrew Carlton, introduced to the Belgrade Select Board as the new superintendent of RSU 18, told the board on Jan. 20 that his top priorities are school safety, building maintenance and transparent budgeting as the district enters budget season.
Carlton, who was presented to the board by a former school board director and described in the introduction as having 23 years in education and a stint as a city manager, said RSU 18 serves about 2,700 students across eight school buildings and employs roughly 750 people. "We are a $45 million operation that doesn't make money," he said, adding that the district must work with towns to find creative ways to stretch resources.
During a question‑and‑answer period, board members and residents pressed Carlton on how the district uses reserve funds and what level of reserves the district maintains. Carlton said the district aims to use allocated reserve funds to smooth one‑time costs and avoid creating artificial budget spikes; he gave an example of a $260,000 chiller replacement paid from reserves. He and board members discussed that the district historically kept a 5% reserve cap in some years and later moved to 9%, noting recent state policy shifts and incomplete legislative follow‑through.
Board members also asked about services for multilingual learners. Carlton said the district’s population of multilingual learners is relatively low compared with neighboring districts; RSU 18 uses a part‑time coordinator and evaluates staffing needs as populations change.
Carlton said the district has been conducting exit interviews with departing employees to identify retention issues and described constructive relationships with staff associations. He closed by thanking educators, staff and families and inviting further questions as the board moves into budget work.
The board did not take any formal action on district funding at this meeting. Carlton was invited to remain for the remainder of the board’s business and to continue follow‑up with town leaders on shared services such as summer transportation.
