Preliminary state subsidy figures released by the Department of Education show that Washington County school districts are the hardest hit in the state by a $90 million state funding reduction. The Lubec school system would be especially slammed, with a projected cut of $573,000, leaving only some $29,000 in state funding, including federal stabilization funds.

The projected $4.3 million loss in Washington County would be nearly 10% of the total state subsidy funding for the county during this year, according to the Maine Municipal Association's Legislative Bulletin. That percentage is the highest for any county in the state. About 95% of the state's school units are projected to see subsidy decreases this coming year.

"Washington County has a perfect storm of increasing property values and decreasing student population," says State Senator Kevin Raye, concerning why subsidy amounts are dropping so significantly in the county. "There's tremendous concern about it in many quarters. The Education Committee has cast an unfavorable eye on the numbers, but it's too early to predict the final outcome."

Raye notes that because of declining state revenues and an economy that is not rebounding, state government is looking at significant cuts in funding for both education and the Department of Health and Human Services, "because that's where the money is." Although the governor's proposed budget cuts are not being well-received by both legislators and citizens, Raye says there is a recognition in the legislature that "there is no money" for any additional state funding. "The bottom line cuts will be made, but the question is where and how," he says. "The Appropriations Committee will make a recommendation to the legislature. It's the major issue of this session, but it will be awhile before it's ironed out."

The preliminary figures indicate the following subsidy reductions for School Union 104 municipalities: Charlotte, $32,334; Dennysville, $65,048; Eastport, $198,629; Pembroke, $94,748; Perry, $229,935. Reductions for some other Washington County municipalities include: SAD 19, Lubec, $572,801; Baileyville, $375,812; Calais, $102,170; Jonesboro, $114,873; Jonesport, $21,123; Machias, $4,721; Machiasport, $261,294; Robbinston, $66,090; and Whiting, $104,492. The amount for Pleasant Point would increase by $81,196.

These figures include the penalties that the state is imposing on school districts that have not consolidated, although there are legislative efforts to have the penalties removed. Raye describes the penalties as "perverse," since wealthy school districts that did not have to make any changes in order to have a regionalization plan approved will not suffer any penalties. "It's robbing from the poor to give to the rich. It's appalling," he says. Raye adds that he has always believed the Department of Education's regionalization plan really has been aimed at closing some schools. "They did this to starve the rural districts of school funding," he says of the consolidation law.

Board discusses options

The preliminary state subsidy figures were among the topics discussed during the February 2 Eastport School Committee meeting. Superintendent Terry Lux also mentioned the possibility of additional reductions in special education funding and a possible 8% increase in health insurance costs. Although the funding cuts this year are significant, federal stabilization funds have been helping school districts this year and next, and she noted that Education Commissioner Susan Gendron described the funding for the following year as "tragic," during a superintendents' workshop in Portland on January 14 and 15. "God only knows what that means," commented Lux.

"Because we're land rich and salary poor, we're in a bad position," she noted of the coastal towns in Washington County. The higher property valuations lead to less state funding. "I told them you will close schools but you'll still have students you have to educate," she said, observing that the state could face a federal lawsuit, as it is not allowing for all of the students in the state to be educated equitably. She noted that the state reportedly will be looking at making changes in the Essential Programs and Services funding formula.

Eastport Elementary School Principal Tina Wormell suggested a budget committee be formed to brainstorm on ideas for how to save money. Board Chair Shannon Emery said people can make suggestions to board members, and Lux and city council President Bob Peacock both suggested that the sharing of costs, with either the city or other schools, should be explored. "We need to look at major changes," Peacock said. Lux agreed that "we need to change our way of thinking," but she added that "people are too territorial."

Emery suggested that the board consider the idea of a junior high school for Eastport students. An earlier proposal for a middle school, with other union schools sending in students to Eastport, had not received support from the other towns. The junior high school proposal, with seventh and eighth grade students going to the high school building, will be considered at the next board meeting.

As for the possibility of absorbing some of the state cuts through local property taxes, Peacock noted that the city council doesn't want "to see any more of a tax increase than we have to."

Principals' reports

During the meeting, Shead Principal Paul Theriault reported that in the Poetry Out Loud competition at Shead on January 13, Brennin Consalvi placed first, Sam Schuth was second and Kay Young third. Consalvi then competed in the regional competition in Ellsworth on February 4. Theriault mentioned that a request has been made to hold a professional wrestling fundraiser at the school in May. Because of concerns about the appropriateness of the event for families, the principal will check with other schools that have hosted the matches. A community choral group is being formed, with Shead allowing use of the band room for rehearsals. Shead is partnering with the Eastport Arts Center to offer a trimester-long art program at the arts center, with instruction provided by four local artists. Shead's costs are being covered by a donation from a local group called Sunspot.

Elementary school Principal Lovina Wormell reported that a new strategy called Reciprocal Teaching has been introduced to help with literacy, and a positive behavioral intervention and support team has been formed. Teacher Trudy Newcomb has received a $489 grant from the Savings Bank of Maine for the school's gardening project, and Target gave the school $800 for its Greenland Point field trip. A Valentine's dance for Eastport area children and their parents will be held on February 12 from 6 to 8 p.m., and the students will go to Cobscook Bay State Park on the same day for outdoor activities. The sixth grade is sponsoring a fund-raising event, with games and a penny carnival, for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti on February 24. After-school homework help is being offered for athletes four nights a week, with staff members donating their time.

Wormell also noted that Chris Rudd, an early childhood coach from the Department of Education, commented favorably about the multi-age K4 and K5 classroom, noting that teacher Diana Boone is to be commended. Wormell stated that Boone has done a good job combining the two classes, adding, "She's worked hard to pull that together."