Budget Workshop II and Special Meeting

Note: Transcripts are generated from video auto-captions. While highly accurate, they are non-official and do not meet State Archivist record-keeping requirements.

• 0:00
  Call to Order (Molly Schen)

  The special meeting of the South Portland School Board is called to order by Chair Molly Schen. A roll call is conducted, and the board stands for the Pledge of Allegiance.
• 0:01
  Opening Remarks (Molly Schen)

  Chair Molly Schen outlines the rules of the meeting, emphasizing accessibility, Robert's Rules of Order, and the expectation of courtesy and respect from the public.
• 0:02
  Superintendent's Update on DEI Guidance (Tim Matheny)

  Superintendent Tim Matheny addresses a letter from the US Department of Education regarding DEI programs, challenging the premise that they are discriminatory and stating that the district is awaiting further guidance from the Maine Department of Education.
• 0:06
  FY26 Budget Overview and Health Insurance Update (Tim Matheny)

  Superintendent Tim Matheny presents the proposed $73 million budget and shares the negative news of a 7.5% health insurance cost increase, which creates a $200,000 deficit.
• 0:09
  Restoration of Positions and Association Collaboration (Tim Matheny)

  Superintendent Tim Matheny highlights the restoration of three positions and discusses a constructive meeting with district associations regarding budget priorities.
• 0:11
  Budget Timeline and Cautionary Notes (Tim Matheny)

  Superintendent Tim Matheny cautions against exceeding a 6% tax increase due to economic uncertainty and outlines the upcoming budget presentation timeline with the City Council.
• 0:14
  Board Discussion on Budget Calculations (Molly Schen)

  Board members ask clarifying questions about the health insurance impact, and Assistant Superintendent Johanna Prince explains that adding the cost without other cuts results in a 6.36% increase.
• 0:16
  Board Discussion on Budget Process and Roles

  The board discusses the roles and responsibilities of the board and administration in shaping the budget process.

  • 0:16 DeAngelis
    Board Member DeAngelis requests a dedicated workshop for the School Board to establish its own budget process, arguing that the budget is the board's primary responsibility.
  • 0:17 Tim Matheny
    Superintendent Tim Matheny responds that the administration must involve associations and non-bargaining representatives to gather diverse ideas from other districts.
  • 0:18 DeAngelis
    Board Member DeAngelis reiterates that the process must start with the board because they are ultimately responsible for passing the final budget.
• 0:19
  Revised Budget Timeline Announcement (Tim Matheny)

  Superintendent Tim Matheny clarifies the updated timeline for the budget presentation to the City Council, including workshops and the final public hearing.
• 0:20
  Board Discussion on Recommended Budget Decreases

  The board reviews a list of recommended budget decreases to address the deficit.

  • 0:20 Molly Schen
    Chair Molly Schen presents a list of recommended decreases, including shifting the DEI Director to a coordinator and eliminating the Director of Mental and Behavioral Health.
  • 0:26 Elliot Wertheimer
    Board Member Elliot Wertheimer asks for clarification on which positions would lose their stipends under the proposed $10,000 reduction.
  • 0:27 Tim Matheny
    Superintendent Tim Matheny explains that stipend reductions would target unfilled coaching or teacher leader positions with minimal overall impact.
• 0:29
  Board Discussion on Second Lunch Program and Fund Balance

  The board discusses the financial implications of the second lunch program and the status of the district's fund balance.

  • 0:29 DeAngelis
    Board Member DeAngelis advocates for reinstating the Curriculum Director and second lunch program, questioning the high cost of the lunch program.
  • 0:33 Johanna Prince
    Assistant Superintendent Johanna Prince provides data on unfilled full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and warns against relying on those gaps for budget savings.
  • 0:35 Tim Matheny
    Superintendent Tim Matheny advises against dipping further into the estimated $1.6 million fund balance, citing the need for a healthy reserve.
• 0:41
  Board Discussion on Budget Compromises and Priorities

  Board members share their individual priorities and discuss potential compromises to reach a balanced budget.

  • 0:41 Tandy Ratliff
    Board Member Tandy Ratliff supports restoring the SEL positions and questions how the district can maintain the second lunch program more efficiently.
  • 0:42 Dowling
    Board Member Dowling supports restoring SEL teachers and expresses concern over cutting adult education and athletic budgets disproportionately.
  • 0:50 Elliot Wertheimer
    Board Member Elliot Wertheimer advocates for preserving the high school social studies position to protect women's and African American history electives.
  • 0:53 Rauscher
    Board Member Rauscher expresses concern over deprioritizing curriculum work and suggests using a small portion of reserves to fund community partnerships.
• 0:57
  Board Discussion on Adult Education and Teacher Salaries

  The board debates the value of adult education and the impact of potential salary freezes on teachers.

  • 0:57 DeAngelis
    Board Member DeAngelis strongly opposes cutting adult education, highlighting its role in workforce development, and objects to freezing teacher salaries.
  • 0:58 Tandy Ratliff
    Board Member Tandy Ratliff agrees that adult education is valuable for creating tax-paying citizens and expresses distress over the difficult cuts.
  • 0:59 Claire Holman
    Board Member Claire Holman supports preserving adult education and suggests looking for additional savings within the athletics budget.
• 1:10
  Board Discussion on Specific Budget Additions

  The board reviews the cost of proposed additions and their impact on the overall tax rate.

  • 1:10 Molly Schen
    Chair Molly Schen facilitates a line-by-line review of proposed additions, calculating that the total would result in a 7.96% tax increase.
  • 1:17 Kabisa
    Board Member Kabisa asks for clarification on the second lunch program and whether it affects a la carte items in the cafeteria.
  • 1:18 Elliot Wertheimer
    Board Member Elliot Wertheimer suggests that the community partnership position could help secure external food resources if second lunch is cut.
  • 1:18 Claire Holman
    Board Member Claire Holman emphasizes the importance of fundraising and having dedicated personnel to manage community partnerships.
• 1:20
  Second Lunch Program Details (Rebecca Stern)

  Middle School Principal Rebecca Stern explains that the second lunch program provides a sun butter and jelly sandwich and extra sides, ensuring hungry students have access to food.
• 1:25
  Elementary Lunch Program Perspective (Allison Hopkins)

  Dyer Elementary Principal Allison Hopkins provides historical context on the second meal program, noting that options have evolved to include healthier choices.
• 1:27
  Board Consensus on Second Lunch and Curriculum Director (Molly Schen)

  The board reaches consensus to keep the second lunch program at a reduced cost of $100,000 and votes to restore the Director of Curriculum position.
• 1:33
  STEM Coordinator Perspective (Angela Marli)

  STEM Coordinator Angela Marli expresses her interest in a halftime position, suggesting it could work in partnership with the restored Curriculum Director.
• 1:34
  Board Consensus on Community Partnerships and Social Studies (Molly Schen)

  The board reviews the part-time community partnership and high school social studies positions, ultimately deciding not to restore them due to budget constraints.
• 1:42
  High School Social Studies Staffing (Sarah Glenn)

  High School Principal Sarah Glenn clarifies that social studies staffing levels will remain the same next year as a teacher is expected to return from leave.
• 1:52
  Recess for Ten Minutes (Molly Schen)

  The School Board votes unanimously to enter a ten-minute recess to digest the budget calculations and prepare for discussions on potential cuts.
• 1:53
  Robotics Team Congratulations (Tim Matheny)

  Upon returning from recess, Superintendent Tim Matheny congratulates the high school robotics team for qualifying for the world championship in Houston.
• 1:57
  Board Discussion on Potential Budget Cuts

  The board brainstorms potential areas to cut from the budget to bridge the remaining deficit.

  • 1:57 Molly Schen
    Chair Molly Schen initiates a brainstorming session for additional budget cuts to bridge the remaining $350,000 deficit.
  • 2:00 Elliot Wertheimer
    Board Member Elliot Wertheimer proposes eliminating one high school science position by reconfiguring the honors and AP lab block system.
  • 2:04 DeAngelis
    Board Member DeAngelis suggests eliminating the assistant athletic director and one middle school assistant principal to find significant savings.
• 2:10
  Board Discussion on DEI Position and Administrative Salaries

  The board debates restructuring the DEI position and freezing administrative salaries.

  • 2:10 DeAngelis
    Board Member DeAngelis advocates for freezing the salaries of the top non-bargaining administrators to save $55,000.
  • 2:17 Claire Holman
    Board Member Claire Holman hesitates to eliminate the DEI position completely, suggesting they explore alternative configurations.
  • 2:39 Rauscher
    Board Member Rauscher expresses discomfort with mandating salary freezes, noting that the board does not know the personal financial situations of administrators.
• 2:53
  Course Reimbursement Discussion (Tim Matheny)

  Superintendent Tim Matheny introduces course reimbursement as a potential area for savings, noting the district spends $250,000 annually on this contractual benefit.
• 3:13
  High School Science Lab Requirements (Sarah Glenn)

  High School Principal Sarah Glenn explains the necessity of lab blocks for AP science courses and cautions against cutting science positions.
• 3:34
  Public Comment

  The board opens the floor to public comment, receiving passionate feedback from teachers, administrators, and support staff regarding the proposed budget cuts and salary freezes.

  • 3:36 Angela Marli
    STEM Coordinator Angela Marli defends the expertise required for curriculum development and highlights the financial savings her professional development courses bring to the district.
  • 3:41 Sarah Gay
    SPTA President Sarah Gay strongly objects to the proposed salary freezes and course reimbursement cuts, calling them retaliatory and harmful to student-facing staff.
  • 3:44 Kate Porter
    Middle School Teacher Kate Porter expresses concern over the rapid vote to eliminate a middle school assistant principal, urging the board to prioritize leadership over minor food service savings.
  • 3:46 Rebecca Stern
    Middle School Principal Rebecca Stern argues that running a split-grade middle school with two start times is untenable without three assistant principals.
  • 3:49 Sonya Croft
    Special Education Assistant Director Sonya Croft warns that the 'us versus them' rhetoric surrounding administrative cuts is damaging to school culture.
  • 3:52 Connie DeSanto
    SPESPA President Connie DeSanto voices support for freezing administrator salaries to protect student-facing roles, recalling past teacher sacrifices.
  • 3:56 Jamie Watson
    Middle School Teacher Jamie Watson criticizes the lengthy debate over sandwiches and urges the board to look at administrative cuts that are not being publicly defended.
  • 3:59 Bethany Connolly
    Skillin Principal Bethany Connolly opposes pay freezes across all associations and emphasizes the role of administrators in supporting exhausted teachers.
  • 4:05 Sydney Mays
    Middle School Librarian Sydney Mays highlights the heavy workload of librarians and the critical support provided by middle school administrators.
  • 4:13 Nicholas Boggs
    Parent and Ed Tech Nicholas Boggs emphasizes the necessity of three SEL teachers and expresses anxiety over future budget deficits.
  • 4:16 Joel Hatfield
    Citizen Joel Hatfield expresses concern over the rushed budget timeline and confusion among board members, urging them not to cut teacher compensation.
  • 4:19 Julia Edwards
    Citizen Julia Edwards criticizes the board for cutting the salary of the only administrator of color and urges them to defend the budget they actually need.
  • 4:22 Aliyah Starr
    Middle School Assistant Principal Aliyah Starr speaks about the erosion of trust and time caused by the contentious budget process, urging a swift resolution.
• 4:28
  Board Discussion on Reinstating Middle School Assistant Principal

  The board discusses reinstating the middle school assistant principal position after hearing public testimony.

  • 4:28 Dowling
    Board Member Dowling withdraws his support for removing the middle school assistant principal position after hearing the public testimony.
  • 4:29 Molly Schen
    Chair Molly Schen acknowledges the powerful arguments made by staff and supports reinstating the position.
• 4:54
  Motion to Adjourn and Final Remarks (Molly Schen)

  Chair Molly Schen proposes adjourning the meeting due to fatigue and the need for further calculations, but the motion fails. The board ultimately agrees to task the superintendent with finding further operational savings before the next meeting on Monday.