By David Harry

Staff Writer

School Board members Monday night approved construction contract negotiations for the new running surface at South Portland High School, accepted a three-year grant to pay for middle school science, technology, engineering and math education and learned it will finish fiscal year 2011 with a budget surplus.

School Department Finance Director Rafe Forland said he anticipates the department will have a budget surplus of $1 million to $1.5 million when the fiscal year ends June 30. Forland said he is still working out details, but the projection accounts for nearly all areas of department spending. 

The $42.8 million fiscal year 2012 budget is funded in part by $1.2 million of existing department surplus.

The $225,000 from South Portland-based grant National Semiconductor will pay for a program coordinator, 10 stipends for teachers and professional development needed to teach the STEM program for three years, School Superintendent Suzanne Godin said. The acronym stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

Installation of the new outdoor track at the high school could begin next month. School board members voted 7-0 to allow Godin to negotiate a construction contract with Gray-based Maine Tennis and Track.

The project is expected to cost nearly $51,000; $20,000 will come from the 2012 municipal capital improvements budget.

Godin said Maine Tennis and Track was the only company to submit a bid project bid, although 16 bid applications were sent out. Godin also said the new track would not be affected by the high school expansion and renovation project scheduled to begin next spring.

Board members approved putting out bids for a portable building with two classrooms to accommodate increased enrollments at Doral L. Small Elementary School near Willard Square. 

Director of Buildings and Maintenance Russ Brigham said each classrooms will be at least 750 square feet and anticipates they will be ready for the next school year.

Brigham estimated a two-week turnaround is needed after accepting a bid for the portable building and Planning Board approval is needed to install it. Cost estimates have ranged from $24,000 to rent or lease for two years to $18,000 to rent or lease for four years, but a final cost for renting, leasing or buying a portable has not been determined, Godin said.

The meeting began with a flurry of personnel decisions. Kathryn Germani was appointed interim assistant superintendent to replace Steven Bailey. Germani, currently principal at Mahoney Middle School, will step down in July 1 after Bailey becomes school superintendent at Alternative Organizational Structure 93, a district that encompasses Damariscotta, Nobleboro, Bristol and Jefferson.

Godin said the search to replace Bailey produced about 20 applicants, but the department decided to continue the search and interviewed Germani for the position. 

Mahoney Middle School Assistant Principal Carrie Stilphen was appointed acting principal to replace Germani.

South Portland High School Principal Jeanne Crocker was thanked by board members for her 13 years as principal and 28 years at the school.

Crocker will retire at the end of the month and take a part-time position with Maine Principals’ Association.

Board Chairman Ralph Baxter Jr. awarded Crocker the monthly Riot Pride award and kept his praise succinct:

“Jeanne, two words, ‘thank you,’” he said.

Staff Writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.