By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

Eliminating 31 jobs, outsourcing custodial services and consolidating to one middle school are some steps needed to offset a projected deficit of $2.6 million in next year’s school budget, according to South Portland Superintendent Suzanne Godin.

Godin made the recommendations last week at the first of six forums to gather public input on the budget. A large audience, including many school employees, attended the meeting at Memorial Middle School. 

The school district’s fiscal year 2011 budget of $39.4 million is $51,203 less than last year’s budget. Budget projections are based on the assumption South Portland will not increase property taxes next year, according to Godin’s report.

“We have been directed by the city council to come up with a zero-based budget,” Godin said. “There are no easy answers.”

  “I think zero is irresponsible,” said Board Vice Chairman Ralph Baxter. “We have to consider lobbying the council. This isn’t where I want to be. I’m not going to be satisfied without exploring what’s best for the students.”

Under this plan, a private contractor would be hired to provide custodial service in schools and students would be required to pay to participate in athletic programs and co-curricular activities. South Portland students currently do not pay to participate in athletic programs or co-curricular activities.

If the budget is approved, Mahoney Middle School would be closed in fall 2011 and the district would consolidate to one middle school. All Mahoney students would be transferred to Memorial. Godin said up to 12 portable classrooms at Memorial would accommodate additional students.

The consolidation is projected to save $889,009. It’s not certain what would happen to the building and grounds if Mahoney is closed.

“The city had expressed interest in using this as a city building,” Godin said. “We would need to move the central office spaces from Memorial so that would be another proposal we would look at. That’s why we’re looking at spending a year studying all of that.”

Severe declines in school revenues and state subsidies are primary causes of the deficit, according to Godin’s report. Overall revenue is projected to drop from $50,000 to $18,000 and the state’s subsidy is estimated to decline from $3.4 million to $1.1 million.

Godin’s  budget proposal includes $767,454 of reductions that also include closing Hamlin School at the end of this school year. She said the school would be transferred to the city and be used as office space by the planning and development department, which currently rents space on E Street. This move would save the school system $82,879, according to budget projections.

Other proposed reductions would eliminate the middle school football program and cut 31 positions from counselors to clerks to teachers. Two of these positions, special education technicians, are currently vacant.

Middle school football players would be encouraged to participate in an existing community league that is privately funded, according to Godin.

The budget also would use $1.2 million of surplus funds from the school department’s account to help offset decreased revenues. A surplus of $2.3 million would still be available for the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Board Chairman Rick Carter said it’s the school board’s responsibility to provide the best education it can for students. 

“I’m going to have a hard time supporting a budget that has this kind of impact on the kids,” he said.

The board will vote on the budget Monday, and the South Portland City Council will vote on it April 26. South Portland residents will vote May 6 whether to validate the budget.  

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.