[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6099828,"mediaKeyId","2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262","parentId",2815850,"title","RSU 52 administrators propose $300,000 regular-instruction reserve as board trims budget; motion approved to cut $1,100 for transportation apparel","audioSeconds",3280,"startMs",71000,"endMs",3351000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262&start=71&end=3351","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262/thumbnail_71000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099828/Maine/RSU-52-administrators-propose-300000-regular-instruction-reserve-as-board-trims-budget-motion-approved-to-cut-1100-for-transportation-apparel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099828-c1a0cf17b277bb381267e1537ff4fb77/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522899&Signature=Og2Td-dlXE0QcdMH7c7zPPN~YoIa9sQYXESlrJ64sQV82edCv4lPVaGI2wEJMXg~d3t0aHjYkBE6fTxHs0SSij8qCZtPMmTEnWCE8dZOmig-aPMj-ah3aiJEXQJjsIHIyeiW~DNtpkSIKAC4t59ti3o9Rey4ycMKbmAIRzuhMujjmGdWasobKCw0Q~jDhFFK3UeTVSi2egwkFnbKpIsCIKQcHghvLe4NEdEhMgkzry1NarRZhKTMmt6P1TQLzlc-Pm0n16uVaRigq1ScwRIddf-oV0ExRsWjYgxATKP~d9-p~hRBNg-DstegpkNucAUuky7WJ2ID4e~3qTZ-3kh9kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 52/MSAD 52","date","2025-03-29T08:30:18.923Z","article","Administrators presented updated figures during a budget work session of the RSU 52/MSAD 52 School Board, saying the revised draft restores a high‑school guidance position and reduces several subscription and furniture lines while proposing to add $200,000 to the district's regular‑instruction reserve for a $300,000 total.

The recommendation from district staff, presented by Carrie, district staff member, came during a March budget workshop where staff said they removed duplicate expenditures, cut a statewide subscription line by $5,456 and reduced furniture and travel lines, producing a net decrease of $14,001.51 from the draft budget. Carrie said, “So right now, we've decreased the budget by $14,001.51.”

Administrators told the board the larger budget question is how much to add to a reserve set up last year to cover unanticipated midyear staffing needs, particularly if federal Title funds are cut or reduced during the school year. The staff recommended adding $200,000 to the account created last year, bringing it from $100,000 to $300,000. Board members asked whether the district should instead add $400,000 or $500,000; staff warned a larger transfer would erode the district's unallocated fund balance and leave less flexibility in coming months.

Why it matters

District staff said the reserve is intended to avoid urgent midyear layoffs or school closures if federal or other grant funds shift during the year. Carrie cautioned that if the store of carryover funds falls too low the district could face legal or practical constraints on action: “that law ... was 5% prior to the pandemic,” she said referring to the statutory cap on fund balance and noting a bill is pending that could affect that cap.

Key points and details

- Restored position: Administrators said the high‑school guidance position that had been proposed for reduction was restored; the restoration increases overall personnel spending relative to the previous draft. The presenter identified this change as a direct restoration rather than a new hire.
- Budget line changes: Staff reported reducing the district's commercial software line (including IXL) by $5,456, removing a duplicate $18,500 entry for flashing lights at Turner Primary School, eliminating a staff travel line, and trimming $5,000 in central‑office furniture spending.
- Software subscriptions: Carrie reported the district's subscription total is now about $49,681 after the reductions (about $22,000 less than last year when accounting for prior cuts).
- Instructional positions and contracts: Administrators described 21 positions under review; 11 were filled and 9 were unfilled in the current listing. The district said it is eliminating two speech‑language positions from payroll and adding about $220,000 to the contractor line to pay for contracted speech services because the district has been unable to hire enough full‑time speech‑language pathologists. Administrators said hiring staff would be less expensive than contracting but that the contract budget is necessary to ensure services.
- Instructional coaches and devices: Staff reported K–3 Chromebook and iPad purchases total $85,009.20 and instructional coaches cost about $534,001.51 in salary and benefits (six instructional coaches were noted). Board members and teachers described instructional coaches' roles and asked for anonymous teacher feedback on coaches' effectiveness.
- Reserve discussion: Administrators recommended a $300,000 regular‑instruction reserve to buffer possible midyear Title funding reductions. Some board members preferred $300,000; several said they would support $400,000, while others warned that $500,000 would push the district's unallocated fund balance too low given the board's target carryover. Staff said the district's targeted carryover is roughly $550,000 and that larger transfers could reduce flexibility.
- Calendar and deadlines: Staff reminded the board that April 10 is the practical deadline for adopting a budget and that insurance premium increases (estimated between 7% and possibly 14% on one modeling scenario) could materially affect the final numbers.

Votes at a glance

- Transportation uniforms (bus driver T‑shirts), $1,100: Motion to remove the $1,100 line passed after the board's weighted voting procedure. The board recorded member votes in roll call; those recorded as voting to cut the line included Peter, Brie, Kyle and Anthony; those recorded as opposed included Crystal, Alex, Jamie and Ashley; weighted totals reported were 466 points in favor of cutting vs. 434 points against; outcome: approved (line removed). The motion had been described in the transcript as having been “made by myself, seconded by Bridal” (transcript language), and the board used the district's weighted vote method to resolve the split.
- Other budget votes: Staff said several items would return to the board for formal votes before the April 10 budget adoption meeting. The district emphasized that if insurance or state revenue assumptions change substantially, administrators would present options for further reductions.

What the board directed

Board members generally expressed support for the $300,000 reserve as a reasonable compromise given uncertainties about federal Title funding and insurance premiums; several members signaled willingness to reconsider if new information arrives before the April 10 budget meeting. Members asked for additional communications to the public explaining the reserve and the policy choices that would be used if insurance increases require further reductions.

Sources and provenance

This article draws on the district's budget presentation and the board discussion recorded during the meeting (district staff presenter identified as Carrie; superintendent identified as Theresa). Excerpts supporting this article appear in the meeting transcript at the budget presentation start and the debate over the reserve and the T‑shirt motion (see provenance segments).

Ending

Administrators will return a revised budget and any required action items to the board at the April 10 meeting; that meeting is scheduled to be the district's last opportunity to finalize the budget for public posting and referendum materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MSAD52 Board of Directors Meeting - March 27th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Administrators presented updated figures during a budget work session of the RSU 52/MSAD 52 School Board, saying the revised draft restores a high‑school guidance position and reduces several subscription and furniture lines while proposing to add $200,000 to the district's regular‑instruction reserve for a $300,000 total.","taxTitle","RSU 52/MSAD 52, School Districts, Maine","taxId",58422,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099814,"Board postpones vote on new math standards after committee presentation; administrators will return April 10",2777,8743000,11520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262&start=8743&end=11520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262/thumbnail_8743000.jpg","/articles/6099814/Maine/Board-postpones-vote-on-new-math-standards-after-committee-presentation-administrators-will-return-April-10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099814-bbe83a76b63a3915dc1f9e8adad03904/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522899&Signature=Cjx1epjyICiGRDp5UHTVls6CXaUx~G0CksvGfI3tZhmKFgHGj1vwFPxfBad4gx5V2rkGHgi91g6XVxSqjy5pxm97YJ37rApfZ5sBFyDWkUf2Q1EqMqEvrgMlifB9K8OMTnS-caUASebr-q1UQuvVc4U2xHK4F28ynLzsM9uVG228U3ZvIcwIsKwpQ7iRuHmrkWvJFX1jgA38LXXT-OWErEMiWUe4rV4hGMT9P3wzAZ-S59ZhB8t5KdfWJyMQFapEE9ZMCqrQtxWhuSCIrOXWF2xOGuF-3iJEp0mdWVEkFng8k7~bpzYIFDjH-olpzDtEqNqYqYRUeOkDyw82f1PCYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The RSU 52/MSAD 52 School Board heard a presentation on proposed mathematics standards and the instructional‑materials selection process but postponed a formal vote after members said they needed more time to review the materials and the committee's selection rationale.

Theresa, the superintendent, and Theresa's curriculum staff summarized the standards review: a standards team and an instructional‑materials team met this year to prioritize the state's main learning results into locally designated \"essential\" and \"supporting\" standards, with the essential standards designated for common assessment and monitoring. The teams used Atlas (the curriculum management platform), surveyed teachers, reviewed vendor materials, visited other districts and taught sample lessons within the committee to evaluate ease of planning and implementation.

Committee members described the process as aimed at ensuring greater consistency across grade levels K–12 so students in different schools encounter the same expectations at each grade. Theresa said the public‑facing version of the standards will be built into Atlas and staff plan to finalize the structure by fall.

Why the board postponed

Board members said they appreciated the work but that the packet was dense and they needed time to digest the proposed essential‑standard lists and the connection between standards and the chosen instructional materials. A motion to postpone the vote to the April 10 meeting passed; the board asked administration to provide more detail on how instructional materials were selected and to summarize the percentage of standards labeled essential versus supporting.

How the standards will be used

Staff said essential standards will drive common assessments and intervention planning; supporting standards remain part of instruction but are not the primary targets for districtwide common assessment during initial rollout. Administrators emphasized that adopting essential standards is intended to help teachers focus and to provide clearer data for intervention and curriculum alignment.

Implementation and next steps

District staff will return on April 10 with additional materials requested by the board, including a clearer description of the selection process for materials (vendor reviews, EdReports/EdWorks checks, school visits), a representation of how many standards were designated essential at each grade and samples of proposed common assessments. The board will revisit the standards for a vote at that meeting.

Provenance

The curriculum committee presentation and the board discussion appear in the meeting record; the transcript documents Theresa's presentation of the timeline and committee work and the board's decision to postpone the motion to April 10 (see provenance segments).

Ending

The district will provide the supplementary documentation requested by the board ahead of the April 10 meeting; the board postponed the approval vote to allow members time to review the materials and the committee's selection reasoning.","After a multi‑month standards review and an instructional‑materials selection process, the board discussed proposed math standards (essential vs. supporting standards) but agreed to postpone an approval vote to the April 10 meeting to allow members more time to review the materials and receive additional information about instructional‑materials選",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099819,"Turner families seek board exception to transport children to daycare half‑mile outside town line",194,3503000,3697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262&start=3503&end=3697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262/thumbnail_3503000.jpg","/articles/6099819/Maine/Turner-families-seek-board-exception-to-transport-children-to-daycare-halfmile-outside-town-line","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099819-5c9e1ea9f5d6e085a929939e47d49813/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522899&Signature=SOT8R2KCPyhDO-virt45vbGtuUKjRemFYNhJIyTlB70Zu3kxQRbnj6s8A3tcrXtqH-HtZ11tluCfDg~NR37dUwYjfp0w1WpIOIA~qAF43PsOlGksVGwJ1q5BkNu7Nzn~swlwrFWAbpHr9oX~bvAUofVfm7KoQgtPGKKTsS1q6vaMcG7XclGZdXcNPpdrfYWj7vRcF4xHVsPeAdg-v28p54Kw~tCp1INj5mCHbBzkiwePAFkdm~OJrtK~~NQFCA3jjJALIaz-9pokc6aEc3eO5LTyHnR~L27hkfVr39zhkAunAjTHXLXJOt9GfGm88JU6LimbyXaMRC~ouNThrYnQsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Turner residents addressed the board during public comment, asking the RSU 52/MSAD 52 School Board to allow transportation to a daycare site located just outside the Turner town line.

Tom Petrella, who identified himself as a Turner resident, said his family and several other families are using Bright Ideas, a daycare located about a half mile outside Turner's town boundary, because licensed openings in town are either full or highly restricted. \"We urge the board to make an exception to support the working families who depend on this transportation,\" Petrella said, adding that families are unable to move into Turner daycares because no openings exist.

Petrella and at least two other residents asked the board and the transportation director to consider a written policy permitting busing to daycares near but outside town lines, or to permit case‑by‑case exceptions where the pickup point is within a short distance of the current route. The petitioners said Bright Ideas sits within sight of a district turnaround and that other families within one mile of existing bus routes might face similar access barriers.

Administration response and next steps

Board and district staff acknowledged the request and asked for data. Petrella said district transportation staff (he had spoken with Jim, the district's transportation director) asked him to compile use and address information, and he said he would share that information with administration. The board did not take a vote on a policy during the meeting.

Why this matters

Board members noted that exceptions to bus routes have been rare historically and that state and district rules determine who is eligible for regular bus service. Petitioners framed the request as a means to support working families and enable access to care; administrators said they would review the operational and liability implications with transportation staff and the town and return with options.

Provenance and evidence

Public comments on the topic were recorded in the meeting transcript during the public comment portion of the agenda (see provenance segment). Petrella and two other Turner residents described their efforts to secure daycare inside town and urged a district policy or exception for bordering daycare sites.

Ending

District staff asked the families to deliver compiled information about addresses and ridership needs; administrators said they would investigate operational feasibility and potential policy language and report back to the board.","Several Turner residents urged the board to approve a policy or exception that would allow school buses to pick up children at a daycare located just outside the Turner town line (Bright Ideas), citing a shortage of licensed daycare openings within town and the hardship on working families.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099824,"Board awards Leeds Central roof and high‑school elevator repairs; transfers from facilities reserve approved",1643,4436000,6079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262&start=4436&end=6079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815850-41d3e1c0154e1c30fa9995304a79a262/thumbnail_4436000.jpg","/articles/6099824/Maine/Board-awards-Leeds-Central-roof-and-highschool-elevator-repairs-transfers-from-facilities-reserve-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099824-7a67496418deb14fe1b43b51691c132d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522899&Signature=ibMtxdQf-hHbFKREEzmaWhcue1XsOVxBaIHZxnvJMw3nKu41GIA~909Vcp6oPsj09Vx1f4QOLqMoqw7K5qtdkHcEyK6MC9dNZLUaI04-g8DfnXdMenipFmHLHz04-nhpCJx1-9orHTmZzy-9aWIIMOJcEd8l8P7e3XYXTmOZu1jaYL2DuRKMrK3W5hzQtT-oy9tEdOqGMYkN27B13muyMz--FPJVYv-bnQtc6IvGso8j70V5x3NQUDE5flaO7yhWgbMCtZhGa517JVZV7kX5~B2tma8kj7kxjX8CnqxfTvSC1f4r2PVnhay7ykS5F2SmGbLlJDjkcHw~kliwZq8z9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The RSU 52/MSAD 52 School Board approved two facilities contracts on the meeting consent agenda: a Leeds Central School roof replacement and an elevator modernization/repair at the high school.

The district's personnel and facilities committee had earlier reviewed multiple bids for both projects and recommended IRC for the Leeds Central roof and Casco Bay Elevator for the high‑school elevator. At the meeting the board accepted the committee's recommendations and approved corresponding transfers from the facilities reserve account to fund both projects.

Context and committee work

Committee members reported receiving three bids for the Leeds roof; two were comparable on price when allowances for potential underlying roof work were considered. The committee recommended IRC, citing timeline advantages for completing work during the summer. The committee also reviewed three bids for the high‑school elevator modernization and recommended Casco Bay Elevator as the lowest responsive bidder at $87,667; the recommended work is a modernization of controls, pumps and other components while keeping the elevator car and pulleys in place.

Board action and funding

On the consent agenda the board approved:
- Leeds Central School roof contract with IRC at $387,840 and a transfer from the facilities reserve to pay that amount; and
- Leavitt Area High School elevator repair/modernization contract with Casco Bay Elevator at $87,667 and a transfer from the facilities reserve to pay that amount.

Committee and administrators said the roof bid from IRC included a shorter timeline that better matched the district's summer schedule; one other bidder offered a lower nominal price but would not be able to complete the work until later in the year and included larger allowances for potential underlying repairs. The elevator work was described as a modernization of the elevator's mechanical and control components; the board was told the elevator is still operating but has experienced more frequent service interruptions.

What the board approved (consent agenda)

- Award Leeds Central School roof contract to IRC, cost $387,840. Funding source: transfer from facilities reserve (approved).
- Award Leavitt Area High School elevator work to Casco Bay Elevator, cost $87,667. Funding source: transfer from facilities reserve (approved).

Implementation and next steps

Facilities staff will proceed with contracting and scheduling with the vendors and will attempt to complete the roof work during the summer to avoid school‑year disruptions. The elevator modernization work was described as necessary to reduce recurring service interruptions; staff said the work will replace pumps, control panels and other components while retaining the existing cab and pulley system.

Sources and provenance

Committee discussion, bid documents summarized by staff, and the board's unanimous consent vote on the consent agenda form the basis of this report. The bids and committee recommendation were described in facilities committee comments earlier in the meeting and in the consent agenda packet (see provenance segments).

Ending

The facilities reserve transfers approved at the meeting permit contracting to proceed; staff said they will report timing and site impacts to the board as schedules are finalized.","The board approved awarding a roof replacement contract for Leeds Central School to IRC for $387,840 and a modernization/repair of the high‑school elevator to Casco Bay Elevator for $87,667, and approved transfers from the facilities reserve to pay those costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RSU 52 administrators propose $300,000 regular-instruction reserve as board trims budget; motion approved to cut $1,100 for transportation apparel

Board postpones vote on new math standards after committee presentation; administrators will return April 10

Turner families seek board exception to transport children to daycare half‑mile outside town line

Board awards Leeds Central roof and high‑school elevator repairs; transfers from facilities reserve approved