Staff Writer

“I hope we can get our first budget accepted tonight,” said John Sharood, board member and finance committee chairman for Regional School Unit 21 as he walked into the May 5 public hearing on the proposed school budget for the newly consolidated district comprised of students from Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel.

With 135 residents in attendance, the proposed $36.2 million budget was accepted with little discussion and will go before voters in each town Tuesday, May 19, for final approval.

The budget reflects a zero spending increase from the current budget. Sharood said officials of Maine School Administrative District 71 were able to identify $900,000 in savings in response to cuts in state funding announced in November by Gov. John Baldacci.

High school teacher and former state representative Christopher Babbidge read a prepared letter from Rep. Gary Connor (D-Kennebunk) to residents and board members. In his letter, Connor said  reduction in revenue caused reductions in general purpose aid from the state. 

In fiscal year 2010 state money for general purpose aid will total $947 million and in fiscal year 2011 it will be reduced to $887 million, he said. “The reduction is an unfortunate, but necessary step to control spending at the state level and still protect as many vulnerable folks as possible,” Connor said. 

Some reductions will be offset by federal recovery funds, Connor said. However, the board chose not to calculate those funds while considering the upcoming budget. 

“By crafting a budget that relies mostly on the “state-only” funds, the board has roughly $1.3 million additional federal dollars that have not yet been budgeted at its disposal to help it ride out the economic storm,” Connor said. 

MSAD 71 Business Administrator Jim Barnes said the district has not yet received funds to replenish the curtailment and was still waiting to hear how much the district would receive in federal recovery money. 

“We have not spent the money, and will not spend the money until it is received,” Barnes said. 

Sharood said once the money is received, the board plans to use it to defray next year’s taxes. 

Kennebunk resident Ed Geoghan said his concern lies with 14 teacher positions funded over the Essential Programs and Services requirements, but with a reduction in student enrollment, there is a waste of resources.

“It’s a tremendous shame if only 11 percent of students reap advantages of new programs, such as IB [the International Baccalaureate providing higher level education for students]. Cuts in some cases were made in wrong areas, such as remedial reading,” Geoghan said. 

Jon Renell of Arundel said reducing the district’s library budget by $23,000 was a concern for him when he realized nearly $1.3 million was set aside in other parts of the budget for items such as consultants to negotiate contracts, a lobbyist in Augusta and laptop computers for the school board. 

RSU 21 Chairman Maureen King said the board agreed to hire a contract negotiator to help with a number of contracts that need to be settled within the district. 

“It’s the most effective way that is fair,” King said. 

King said while board members were willing to use their personal laptops to reduce the expenditure.  They also agreed the board needed a lobbyist in order to receive daily updates on state actions in the Maine Department of Education. 

The referendum vote on the $35.2 million budget for RSU 21 is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. Polling in Arundel and Kennebunkport will occur at the fire station and at the town hall for residents in Kennebunk. Absentee ballots are available by contacting the town clerk. 

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237.