Lubec board nixes school budget four times

On June 14 the Lubec school board declined for the fourth time to pass the proposed school budget. Board member Wanda Matthews said that the budget as written is "quite an increase" and added, "There are ways we could have cut." Voting against the budget proposal were Chair Michael Jenkins, Stephani Teslow and Matthews, while Jennifer Brown and Crystal Wood voted in favor. The board began budget meetings in March. Prior to the June 14 meeting, the board had anticipated bringing the $2.1 million budget to the townspeople on Tuesday, June 26.
The consideration of the budget was the last item on the meeting agenda, and the board did not take the opportunity to make any adjustments in order to consider the budget earlier in the meeting. A few days after the meeting, Superintendent Kenneth Johnson said he felt that the budget now would not go to the townspeople until at least early July.
An agenda item for a boiler replacement to be put out as a town referendum question was unanimously approved. Chair Jenkins said that two of the present boilers are "in rough shape." The board is seeking recommendations on the best way to proceed with replacement. As to having dependable boilers, the superintendent pointed out the pros and cons of keeping the high school heated. On one hand, it was said, "There are no kids there," but "the facility is still an asset to the town and the Lubec Community Outreach Center is there." Principal Lovina Wormell added, "The school owns the building [and] doesn't want it to deteriorate." It was noted that the boiler replacement could carry a $350,000 price tag.
The board decided to consider a combination custodian/bus driver position by a vote of 3 to 2. Superintendent Johnson and Chair Jenkins agreed that the combination position would attract more than the usual number of candidates since it would provide full‑time work.
With regard to considering a full‑time grant facilitator position, the board decided it had more "homework" to do. Questions and comments from members of the public encouraged "investigating what is available," becoming more informed as to methods of funding and considering how grants can decrease taxpayer supported costs. Board member Jennifer Brown said she felt such items should be "communicated before [being] put on the agenda" and that she was "not ready to make a decision."
Board members decided against considering a technology coordinator position. Instead, the board plans to utilize the services from a full‑time employee of another school within the AOS. It was explained that the person would often be able to handle issues remotely, making it not necessary to be on site. The board also decided to table consideration of hiring a grant writer and thereby removed $71,711.05 from the proposed budget.
There was some discussion as to the disposition of remaining items, including textbooks and microscopes, that are still housed in the high school wing. It was decided that minutes of previous board meetings would be checked to determine "exactly what [had been] said [previously] before doing anything" with these items. A lack of communication was cited as the reason the items still remain in the building.
In other action, the board reappointed Scott Wilcox as a probationary teacher for the 2018‑2019 school year. A change was approved for the school calendar. School is scheduled to begin for students on September 4 with some training for teachers planned in August.
Following an executive session, the board approved considering the booster club as a school entity.
Board member Crystal Wood submitted her resignation to the board, stating that she and her family plan to leave the area.