ROCKLAND, Maine — A 2016-2017 school budget draft calls for investing $11 million in energy-saving projects and renovations as part of a plan to close, merge Rockland-area schools.
The $26.2 million proposed budget for the next school year represents a nearly 4 percent, or $980,000, increase from the approved 2015-2016 budget of $25.2 million, according to figures presented to the Regional School Unit 13 board Thursday night.
The five municipalities within RSU 13 will have to raise a combined additional $708,000 to pay for the budget. Rockland would pay an additional $231,000 under the draft spending plan, Thomaston an additional $188,000, South Thomaston $132,000, Owls Head $112,000 and Cushing $43,000.
Superintendent John McDonald stressed to the board that this was still a draft budget and that he was reviewing staffing needs as the district undertakes a major reconfiguration of schools. The district will be combining its two high schools into one at Oceanside High School in Rockland starting in September. The district also will merge its two middle schools into one at what is now Oceanside West in Thomaston.
The superintendent said there will be a reduction in staff because of the changes but he does not expect any layoffs, saying he expects that typical annual attrition from retirements or people moving would prevent layoffs.
McDonald pointed out that while the number of buildings will be reduced, the district will still have nearly the same number of students next year as it does this year.
The reconfiguration plan calls for the closure of the Lura Libby School in Thomaston with those students and staff relocating to the Thomaston Grammar School. Students and teachers from that school would move to the combined middle school.
Business Manager Peter Orne said the district will save $600,000 annually from the school closure and reconfiguration. That money would be reinvested in renovation projects. The district also expects to save $225,000 annually in energy costs, but those savings would be used to pay for the energy-efficiency projects.
The estimated annual repayment for borrowing on these projects is expected to equal those savings.
The 2016-2017 operating budget is increasing 3.9 percent because of increased salaries and insurance costs. Teacher pay increases are expected to range from 2 to 3 percent.
The board is likely to not meet again on the proposed budget until after April 1 so the district will have information on health insurance increases, Orne said. He said the public meeting where the citizens vote on a budget would be held toward the end of May. The validation referendum would be June 14 at the polls in each community.
The business manager said this also will be the year when the district residents can decide whether they want to continue the current budget adoption process that includes a budget meeting for the public and a referendum. Residents could opt for simply a budget meeting without the referendum to ratify it.