RSU 18 board adopts FY27 calendar, directs RFQ for facility upgrades and previews proposed FY27 budget

The RSU 18 School Board voted unanimously to adopt the proposed FY27 calendar and later directed district staff to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) to identify a firm to support facility and energy projects.

Superintendent/administrator (agency official) presented the FY27 calendar, noting it was organized to minimize dissimilar days with the tech center, provide a full week at Thanksgiving and avoid built‑in snow days so any missed days would be transparently appended to the end of the year. Board member Chris moved to approve the calendar and Matt seconded; the chair called the vote and announced it was unanimous. The chair declared: “The calendar is adopted.”

Later in the meeting the superintendent described a proposed RFQ for performance contracting services to help the district identify, scope and manage projects such as HVAC and indoor‑air improvements, pursue grant funding, and assess energy‑savings opportunities. The board directed staff to issue the RFQ and to form an interview committee including staff and board representation; the motion (moved by Mike, seconded by Sarah) carried unanimously.

The board also considered a package of policy second readings. Members raised technical corrections (notably a statutory citation in the executive‑session policy) and offered language suggestions for clarity. The board approved the policy package but agreed to pull the specific executive‑session policy (BEC/BEC‑type citation) to correct the legal reference and return it at the next meeting.

On personnel matters, the superintendent introduced Sean Forkey as the district’s new director of nutrition. The committee said Forkey, who comes from Spectrum Generations where he worked as a catering and events director, will start at the end of the month and work alongside existing staff.

The superintendent provided a high‑level preview of the proposed FY27 operational budget. He said FY26 operational components were $10,531,541 and the proposed FY27 operational component is $10,427,612 — a decrease of about $103,000 — while noting that contracted salaries and benefits represent roughly 76% of the total budget. The district will present the full proposed budget, including salary and benefits and insurance numbers, at a future meeting.

Board members asked for additional detail and for line‑item history to accompany the full budget presentation. There were no final votes recorded on the budget itself at this meeting; the preview was presented for informational purposes and will inform the full proposed budget package at the next meeting.

Before adjourning, the board recessed and entered executive session under the cited MRSA statute; the meeting adjourned after that action was taken.