South Portland officials will meet to discuss budget concerns
By Rick Wright
Staff Writer
South Portland Schools Superintendent Suzanne Godin is determined to spare her students and staff from serious consequences despite a massive funding reduction recently announced by Gov. John Baldacci.
“It’s going to have a tremendous impact,” Godin said. “The recommendations we put forward will minimize the impact on students and we anticipate not having to do layoffs in this round of curtailments.”
Under the governor’s curtailment order, General Purpose Aid funding for K-12 schools in Maine will be reduced by $38.1 million for the 2009-2010 academic year.
South Portland’s share of the cut is $1,230,208, the second largest in the state. This is a 25 percent reduction in the city’s original state appropriation of $4,819,552.78.
Reductions are based on a complicated formula that considers several factors, including enrollment and local property values.
Portland schools suffered the biggest reduction – $2,652,752.00.
All superintendents were officially notified of their school’s curtailments by Maine Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron on Nov. 20.
Overall, the governor’s proposal reduces the rate of state spending this fiscal year by 63.1 million, pending final approval by the 124th Legislature which is expected early next year. State revenues for 2010-2011 are projected to be down by $400 million.
On Dec. 1, South Portland City Manager James Gailey imposed a spending freeze for the second time this calendar year. Gailey took this action to blunt the effect of anticipated revenue losses between now and the end of June.
Assistant City Manager Erik Carson said it is difficult to predict how large those losses might be. “It’s a moving target based on what the state identifies in DHS and educational funding,” he said.
The board of education has scheduled a special meeting for Dec. 7 to consider ideas for offsetting the loss of state subsidy.
“I expected it and I’m disappointed by it,” said at-large board member Karen Callaghan. “I hope the state will stop doing it.”
Godin has formed a task force to look at possible solutions to the problem. The superintendent will present the task force recommendations to the board at next Monday’s meeting.
The Cape Elizabeth School Board also has formed an ad hoc committee to examine ways to overcome its state curtailment of $621,440.00. The committee will hold a public forum Dec. 8 to offer recommendations to the board
Godin already has implemented some cost-saving measures to help balance the school budget. She has frozen all nonessential expenditures, including professional development, supplies, field trips, dues, fees, travel and non-essential overtime.
Staff Writer Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237, or news@inthesentry.com.
Staff Writer
South Portland Schools Superintendent Suzanne Godin is determined to spare her students and staff from serious consequences despite a massive funding reduction recently announced by Gov. John Baldacci.
“It’s going to have a tremendous impact,” Godin said. “The recommendations we put forward will minimize the impact on students and we anticipate not having to do layoffs in this round of curtailments.”
Under the governor’s curtailment order, General Purpose Aid funding for K-12 schools in Maine will be reduced by $38.1 million for the 2009-2010 academic year.
South Portland’s share of the cut is $1,230,208, the second largest in the state. This is a 25 percent reduction in the city’s original state appropriation of $4,819,552.78.
Reductions are based on a complicated formula that considers several factors, including enrollment and local property values.
Portland schools suffered the biggest reduction – $2,652,752.00.
All superintendents were officially notified of their school’s curtailments by Maine Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron on Nov. 20.
Overall, the governor’s proposal reduces the rate of state spending this fiscal year by 63.1 million, pending final approval by the 124th Legislature which is expected early next year. State revenues for 2010-2011 are projected to be down by $400 million.
On Dec. 1, South Portland City Manager James Gailey imposed a spending freeze for the second time this calendar year. Gailey took this action to blunt the effect of anticipated revenue losses between now and the end of June.
Assistant City Manager Erik Carson said it is difficult to predict how large those losses might be. “It’s a moving target based on what the state identifies in DHS and educational funding,” he said.
The board of education has scheduled a special meeting for Dec. 7 to consider ideas for offsetting the loss of state subsidy.
“I expected it and I’m disappointed by it,” said at-large board member Karen Callaghan. “I hope the state will stop doing it.”
Godin has formed a task force to look at possible solutions to the problem. The superintendent will present the task force recommendations to the board at next Monday’s meeting.
The Cape Elizabeth School Board also has formed an ad hoc committee to examine ways to overcome its state curtailment of $621,440.00. The committee will hold a public forum Dec. 8 to offer recommendations to the board
Godin already has implemented some cost-saving measures to help balance the school budget. She has frozen all nonessential expenditures, including professional development, supplies, field trips, dues, fees, travel and non-essential overtime.
Staff Writer Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237, or news@inthesentry.com.
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