More bleak financial news was given to the Eastport School Committee at its January 5 meeting, as Superintendent Terry Lux informed the board about imminent curtailments in state subsidies. Governor Baldacci's proposed biennial budget would cut general purpose aid to education by $38 million this year and $35 million next year, on top of substantial reductions already included in the regular biennial budget.

Lux told board members that they should be prepared for a loss of $148,548 in state subsidy for Eastport schools this coming year. That amount includes both the loss from state budget curtailments and a $35,000 penalty for Eastport's not adopting a state-mandated regionalization plan.

In addition, Lux stated that the tuition rate that Shead High School can charge is being reduced from $8,896 to $6,470. The $2,426 reduction per student will mean a loss of $177,690 to the school system. The superintendent explained that because the school cut $100,000 from its budget last year because of state subsidy reductions, its operating cost decreased, and the state figures that the school therefore does not need as much money for its per pupil cost. "We will be penalized for operating more efficiently," she said in disbelief, noting that Shead has the lowest per pupil cost in the state.

Pointing out that the Union 104 towns of Perry and Charlotte also will be facing tough budget decisions, Lux said, "We're all going to have to tighten our belts."

School regionalization plans

Lux also reported on the school regionalization plans for the area, noting that consideration is being given by the state to allow for a fewer number of students and a fewer number of towns in an alternative organizational structure (AOS). It's possible that school union central offices may be kept, without a superintendent. She said there may be two AOS units in the 22-town area that was previously proposed for a single regional school unit (RSU) in eastern and northern Washington County. That proposal had been turned down by voters last January.

Shead Principal Paul Theriault commented that voters had done "the right thing" in turning down the plan. The state now seems to be admitting it was setting the towns up for failure with the 22-town RSU proposal, but it's penalizing the towns for not approving a regionalization plan. "It's got to be illegal," he said of the state's actions.

Lux agreed that the state appears to be headed for having a federal lawsuit brought against it, as it is not allowing for all of the students in the state to be educated equitably. "We have to educate kids. It's the law," she said, adding, "These kinds of cost cuts C communities can't support them."

Community garden project

Shead science teacher Reeser Manley told the board about a community garden project that will begin this spring. Plans call for six raised beds on school grounds that elementary and high school students would work on together, providing the opportunity for mentoring by the older students. The produce from one bed would be given to the Labor of Love Food Pantry and that from the other five beds would be used in the school cafeteria. He said the project will help the students learn about "real food."

The students also might eventually run a farm stand, and thus get involved with business and marketing. Other cross-curricula linkages are possible, such as learning about soil biology and ecology. The project will be linked with the master gardener program, and since there are nine in Eastport, community volunteer connections would be built. In the future, it's possible that a composting program, a greenhouse and a windmill to power the greenhouse could be part of the project. Funding is being sought through grants, but in-kind donations from the community also will be sought.

Manley said the idea for the project came from the Farm to School program in the county.

Other action

In other action, the board approved hiring Melissa Voss as a special education educational technician at the elementary school and appointing Sarah Woog as the Title 1 math teacher at Shead. Dean Preston was appointed as the Shead boys' varsity basketball coach. Preston has previously been the coach, but Principal Theriault had filled in, as Preston was deployed for active duty with the National Guard. Last month Preston found out he would not be sent overseas after all.

Principals' reports

Shead Principal Theriault reported that the local access television station, channel 7, is now being broadcast on cable TV by Time Warner. Teacher David Consalvi is the advisor for the local access television and will receive a pro-rated stipend. Basketball games are now being shown, and city council meetings may be televised again. Theriault hopes that the channel will be picked up by area towns, but the towns have to place a request with Time Warner.

Title 1 math and an SAT math prep course are now being offered at Shead, and a new after-school literacy program is being provided, through funding from Maine Indian Education.

The Jobs for Maine's Graduates program could be reinstated, since a private donor has offered funding through the Maine Community Foundation. Since the program previously ended after a year because funding ran out, after a three-year commitment had been made, Theriault said he wants to ensure that there is sufficient funding for three years before the school agrees to start the program this time.

Teacher Reeser Manley told the board about the results of an energy audit of the gym done by one his classes. They found that an additional $80 is spent on electricity costs during days when a basketball game is played. He said the class is helping making students aware of how they can save on the school's electricity costs.

EES Principal Tina Wormell reported that the K4 and K5 programs have now been combined, which provides K4 students with interaction with older students and K5 students with leadership opportunities. Discussions have started on whether the honor roll will be discontinued at the school, following the adoption of a new method of showing student achievement on report cards. Four staff members -- Tina Wormell, Trudy Newcomb, Peggy Davis and Heather Alexander C will be participating, along with other school staff in Washington County, in four days of training to be a Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support Team. The training for the teams is a grant-funded program. Literacy coach Leigh Alley will be providing training on new strategies every month. A literacy vision statement was presented, which will be read by students over the intercom at the school. The board approved an early release day schedule for staff development for the elementary school. Shead staff will have early release for professional development on some of the days.