Special Budget 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
  Meeting Called to Order (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis calls the meeting to order and prepares to initiate the roll call. She welcomes the public and outlines the rules of accessibility and public proceedings.
• 0:00
  Roll Call (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  The Board Chair calls the roll of the South Portland Board of Education members and student representatives. She notes that Student Representative Angela Kabisa is absent but has requested information via email.
• 0:01
  Apology to Assistant Superintendent (George Risch)

  Board Member George Risch offers a public apology to Assistant Superintendent Joe Prince for a comment made during the previous meeting. He acknowledges that his remarks violated the rules of decorum and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to apologize.
• 0:02
  Agenda Amendment Proposal (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis proposes removing the consideration of four early release days from the agenda. She acknowledges the significant negative feedback received from working families regarding the scheduling challenges this would cause.
• 0:04
  Board Discussion on School Calendar

  The Board discusses the school calendar, the state-required minimum number of student days, and the potential for requesting a waiver from the commissioner.

  • 0:04 Ms. Richardson
    She asks for clarification on the waiver process and whether it would result in cutting the school year shorter. She expresses concern over whether a single day of training is sufficient for staff preparation.
  • 0:06 Ms. Holman
    She asks about the total number of student and staff days currently included in the school calendar compared to state requirements. She seeks to understand the contractual growth built into next year's calendar.
  • 0:07 Mr. Feller
    He asks how many staff days have already been expended and inquires about the plan for professional development in the fall. He questions whether those days can be used for classroom relocation.
• 0:08
  Vote to Remove Early Release Days (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  The Board votes unanimously to remove the early release days item from the agenda. Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis thanks the members for listening to the concerns of working families.
• 0:08
  Clarification on Budget Referendum (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis clarifies that voting against the budget referendum on June 9th will not reverse the Board's decision to reconfigure the elementary schools. She explains that the budget vote only approves the total funding amount and does not affect school closures.
• 0:11
  Introduction to Budget Update (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis introduces the budget update and acknowledges the difficult impact of the budget on employees. She thanks stakeholders for their consistent presence and extensive testimony across multiple meetings.
• 0:14
  FY27 Superintendent's Budget Presentation (Abigail Ketchen)

  Finance Director Abigail Ketchen presents the FY27 Superintendent's Budget, emphasizing the need to align budget projections with prior years' actual spending. She highlights tuition reimbursement and electricity as key examples of unpredictable costs that must be fully funded to protect future jobs.
• 0:22
  Board Discussion on FY27 Budget

  The Board discusses the details of the FY27 Superintendent's Budget, focusing on tax increases, health insurance rates, and specific line items.

  • 0:22 Mr. Feller
    He asks about the local tax increase percentage and the cost savings associated with reducing health insurance rates. He also questions the $60,000 increase in school resource officer costs provided by the city.
  • 0:27 Mr. Dowling
    He asks about electricity usage trends and whether supply or delivery costs are driving the increases. He suggests investigating potential phantom electrical loads in district buildings to reduce usage.
  • 0:28 Ms. Richardson
    She notes that supply budgets are up due to underbudgeting in previous years and asks about potential revenue opportunities. She inquires about the status of the transportation contract with Portland.
  • 0:31 Mike Nally
    He explains that the district is in the process of right-sizing the transportation contract with Portland, which was last updated in 2017. He notes that the district is reimbursed for mechanic salaries and parts.
  • 0:33 Joe Prince
    He explains the state funding process for significant construction projects and revolving renovation funds. He notes that the Skillin Elementary School boiler issue does not currently fall within an open funding cycle.
  • 0:45 Ms. Holman
    She expresses disappointment that administrative cuts have not liberated more funds to preserve important student-facing positions. She emphasizes the value of the roles that are being lost.
• 0:49
  Board Discussion on Reconfiguration

  The Board discusses the planning and implementation of the elementary school reconfiguration, focusing on community engagement and transition timelines.

  • 0:49 Mr. Feller
    He asks about the change management process, the timeline for drawing new attendance boundaries, and whether a committee of board members would be helpful. He emphasizes the need to address the information vacuum for parents.
  • 0:56 Ms. Richardson
    She asks who will be facilitating the upcoming community listening sessions and whether similar sessions are planned for staff. She also raises concerns about class size policies and the stress on teachers.
  • 1:04 Ms. Holman
    She asks about the impact of reconfiguration on bus driver schedules and the status of contract negotiations. She notes that failure to reach an agreement could necessitate further budget reductions.
• 1:35
  Superintendent's Budget Recommendations (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis presents the superintendent's recommendations, urging the Board to pass the budget as presented. She outlines the upcoming timeline for presenting the budget to the City Council and holding public hearings.
• 1:40
  Public Comment

  A large number of teachers, staff, parents, and students speak during the public comment period, expressing deep concern over proposed budget cuts and the rapid timeline of the elementary school reconfiguration.

  • 1:41 Nicholas Boggs
    He reads a statement on behalf of Jenna Goldstein Walsh, the district's elementary general education behavior specialist. The statement details the critical preventative support her role provides to nearly 60 students across four schools.
  • 1:44 Kendra Beach
    She speaks as a preschool teacher at Dyer Elementary School, emphasizing that eliminating the behavior specialist role will leave classroom teachers without dedicated support. She warns that students will fall through the cracks without early intervention.
  • 1:47 Paul Bartlett
    He speaks as a grandfather of four students, expressing concern over the early release day proposal and the speed of the reconfiguration. He urges the Board to slow down and take a year to properly plan the transition.
  • 1:49 Matt Meter
    He speaks as a high school art teacher and parent, imploring the Board to reconsider cutting an art teaching position. He highlights the vital emotional outlet and personal growth that fine arts classes provide to vulnerable students.
  • 1:52 Sarah Gay
    She speaks as a teacher, parent, and SPTA President, requesting that next year's budget process begin no later than October. She emphasizes that teachers need adequate, compensated time on the clock to prepare for the reconfiguration transition.
  • 1:57 Jennifer Lessard
    She speaks as a staff member and SPSEA President, warning that changing bus driver job descriptions to include custodial duties poses a significant risk. She notes that several drivers are already looking for other jobs due to these proposed changes.
  • 1:58 Kate Porter
    She speaks as a middle school teacher and SPTA Vice President, sharing her experience with school mergers. She emphasizes that blending school cultures and aligning curriculum requires significant time and collaboration among staff.
  • 2:01 Connie DiSanto
    She speaks as a parent, staff member, and SPESPA President, sharing that union outreach in Augusta has secured an additional $300,000 in state funding. She urges the Board to use these funds to preserve student-facing positions.
  • 2:03 Susan Liden Smith
    She speaks as a bus driver and union representative, detailing the physical demands and injury risks associated with lunchroom table setup. She requests that these duties be removed from the budget and handled through separate negotiations.
  • 2:06 Laurie Milton
    She speaks as a teacher at South Portland Middle School, laments the devastating cuts to related arts programs, including computer science and stem. She highlights the extensive extracurricular contributions of the teachers being cut.
  • 2:10 Bill Newton
    He speaks as a parent, thanking the teachers and questioning the sustainability of negotiated contracts. He asks why the district is not using health insurance savings to rebuild its fund balance as previously guided.
  • 2:14 Vladimir Korshin
    He speaks as a parent, suggesting that the reconfiguration and budget should be put to a public vote. He expresses frustration over the lack of clear boundaries and warns that he will vote against the budget.
  • 2:16 Victoria Libby
    She speaks as a clinical psychologist and parent, explaining that young children do not benefit from rapid, large-scale disruptions to their environments. She asks the Board to pause the implementation until a full cost and transportation analysis is provided.
  • 2:19 Allison Glider
    She speaks as a parent and neighboring middle school teacher, pointing out wasted energy on campuses and advocating for teacher leaders. She urges the Board to prioritize classroom teachers over administrative roles.
  • 2:22 Caroline Bowman
    She speaks as a parent, highlighting the unprecedented social and developmental pressures facing adolescents. She criticizes the Board for cutting technology, arts, and wellness programs when students need them most.
  • 2:25 Wheeler Boyd-Boffa
    He speaks as a parent, criticizing the lack of a concrete plan and rigorous analysis supporting the reconfiguration. He asks how the Board will monitor progress and what the off-ramp looks like if the plan falls behind.
  • 2:28 Aidan Renaghan
    He speaks as a parent, asking about the timeline for hiring a new superintendent and how equity is being defined in this process. He warns that proceeding without clear definitions and KPIs creates a trust gap.
  • 2:31 Lucy Wetzel
    She speaks as a high school student on behalf of her father, Peter Wetzel, the middle school computer science teacher. She highlights his dedication to creating an engaging classroom and starting an afterschool gaming club.
  • 2:36 Peter Wetzel
    He speaks as a teacher, thanking his daughter and the community for their support. He emphasizes that computer science is a modern-day superpower that students need access to in early education.
  • 2:38 Brian Green
    He speaks as a parent, expressing heartbreak over the vote to close Kaler Elementary School. He criticizes the Board for advancing a short-sighted view of equity and calls for accountability at the ballot box.
  • 2:40 Jonathan Drown
    He speaks as a parent, questioning how a district-wide reconfiguration can be successfully executed in just four months. He raises concerns about maintaining consistency for special education students.
  • 2:42 Rachel Gibbs
    She speaks as a speech-language pathologist, questioning the high costs of out-of-district placements. She argues that removing embedded occupational therapists will make it harder to keep high-needs students in public schools.
  • 2:46 Stacy Morin
    She speaks as a special education teacher, detailing the safety challenges and high injury rates in functional life skills classrooms. She emphasizes that occupational therapists are critical backup staff who cannot be replaced by untrained substitutes.
  • 2:48 Alex Strube
    She speaks as a parent, noting that many teachers are terrified to speak up due to fear of retaliation. She compares South Portland's rapid timeline to other districts that took years to plan reconfiguration.
  • 2:52 Jennifer Christensen
    She speaks as a parent, acknowledging the hardships faced by teachers who worked without a contract at the start of the year. She expresses deep concern over teacher attrition and the need to rebuild trust.
  • 2:54 Kate LaTuro
    She speaks as a parent, sharing her first grader's anxiety over changing schools. She criticizes the implication that parents who question the reconfiguration are opposed to equity or diversity.
  • 3:02 Abby Anderson
    She speaks as an SPTA Vice President, advocating for a clear, pragmatic process when individual positions are debated in the budget. She warns against setting a precedent based on the volume of public advocacy.
  • 3:05 Corinne Altham
    She speaks as a librarian at Brown Elementary School, imploring the Board to give teachers adequate time to prepare for the transition. She emphasizes that while educators are dedicated, they cannot perform miracles without time.
  • 3:08 Chelsie Kazmierski
    She speaks as a parent and substitute teacher, detailing the specialized, evidence-based practice that occupational therapists bring to FLS classrooms. She warns that behavior issues and staff vacancies will increase without them.
  • 3:11 Abby Keenan
    She speaks as a parent, asking detailed questions about specific budget line items, including K-8 special education funding and substitute teacher budget increases. She expresses frustration over the lack of concrete answers.
  • 3:15 Jamie Watson
    She speaks as a physical education teacher, reading a statement from a colleague about the decimation of the related arts team at SPMS. She questions why middle school physical education is being cut to one semester.
  • 3:22 Alex Hoyt
    He speaks as a parent, thanking the Board for removing the half-day request but noting that the immediate need for extra time signals a flawed timeline. He urges the Board to outline a detailed plan before meeting with the City Council.
  • 3:25 Charlie Fox
    He speaks as a parent, calling for the resignation of certain board members and expressing frustration over the lack of guidance. He notes that parents are devastated and struggling to plan for the upcoming year.
  • 3:29 Eva Morin
    She speaks as a student, advocating for the preservation of the percussion educational technician and art positions. She shares how related arts classes provide a vital break from traditional academic stress.
  • 3:32 Dr. Caitlin Foley
    She speaks as a parent, sharing her fifth-grade daughter's passion for astrophysics and space. She expresses concern that cutting stem and computer science teachers will limit opportunities for students to explore their interests.
  • 3:34 Lauren Shapiro
    She calls for a vote of no confidence in the proposed budget, citing a lack of transparency and incomplete responses. She questions class size data and asks if smaller class sizes correlate with higher performance.
  • 3:40 Meredith Diamond
    She speaks as a parent and educator, asking for data-driven decision-making regarding attendance, discipline, and academic outcomes. She criticizes calling the reconfiguration an equity initiative, calling it a manipulation.
  • 3:44 Ishmeel Daniels
    He speaks as a parent, thanking the board members who asked hard questions and expressing deep gratitude to Kaler Elementary School teachers. He announces that the Kaler PTA will host an end-of-year celebration.
• 3:47
  Reading of Student Representative Email (Adrian Dowling)

  Board Member Adrian Dowling reads an email from Student Representative Angela Kabisa, who is absent due to senior year commitments. The email advocates for keeping students at the center of reconfiguration decisions and preserving key positions like the DEI director and percussion ed techs.
• 3:50
  Personal Reflection on Public Comments (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis shares a personal reflection, expressing that public comments criticizing her character were hurtful and painful. She emphasizes her lifelong dedication to education and her desire to be open, honest, and kind.
• 3:53
  Public Comment Period Closed (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis officially closes the public comment period and prepares the Board to transition to the next action items on the agenda.
• 3:53
  Board Discussion on Budget Adjustments

  The Board discusses potential budget adjustments, the allocation of health insurance savings, and the implications of newly announced state funding.

  • 3:53 Ms. DeAngelis
    She explains that the health insurance rate estimate was reduced to 11.5% and the savings were redistributed to cover critical facilities costs, specifically the high school chimney stacks.
  • 4:22 Ms. Richardson
    She expresses discomfort with approving a budget that lacks a fund balance and notes that potential state funding changes could provide an additional $750,000 next year. She advocates for holding off on the budget vote.
  • 4:25 Mr. Smith
    He agrees with waiting for concrete numbers from the state before taking action on the budget. He emphasizes the need to understand what the administration recommends doing with the additional funds.
  • 4:25 Mr. Feller
    He supports convening a meeting with the City Council to seek guidance and explore options. He agrees that the Board should avoid debating individual positions and instead focus on a holistic approach.
  • 4:27 Ms. Holman
    She agrees that the Board should pause on the budget vote to explore better options and seek a more favorable outcome for staff and students. She reflects on her past votes that contributed to the current deficit.
• 4:32
  Vote to Convene Meeting with City Council (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  The Board votes unanimously to convene a meeting with the City Council to seek budgetary guidance and discuss potential adjustments to the tax increase limit.
• 4:33
  Postponement of Budget Adoption (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  The Board decides to postpone the adoption of the FY27 Superintendent's Budget to a future meeting, allowing time to gather accurate figures on state funding and consult with the City Council.
• 4:39
  Discussion on Tentative Monday Meeting (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  The Board discusses tentatively holding a meeting on Monday to discuss the budget if updated state funding numbers become available. Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis asks members to keep their schedules open.
• 4:40
  Second Public Comment Period

  A second public comment period is opened, allowing community members to offer final thoughts on the Board's decisions and the budget process.

  • 4:40 Bill Newton
    He criticizes the rapid timeline and asks how the Board will hold itself and administrators accountable for the systemic failure that drained the fund balance. He notes that the early release proposal shook parents' trust.
  • 4:44 Meredith Diamond
    She calls for a formal audit presentation to the Board and clarifies that class size data from earlier presentations supports smaller class sizes correlating with higher performance.
  • 4:47 Charlie Fox
    He expresses frustration over the lack of trust and the speed of the reconfiguration, noting that South Portland is moving faster than any other district in Maine. He urges the Board to slow down.
  • 4:50 Jamie Watson
    She asks why a referendum question cannot be placed on the ballot regarding the budget and school closures, noting that other districts have done so. She also asks about plans to bring out-of-district students back.
  • 4:52 Abby Keenan
    She reflects on the chronic stress experienced by the community over the last five years, citing the pandemic, school mergers, and staff cuts. She thanks the school staff for carrying the children through these difficult times.
• 4:55
  Board Communications and Adjournment (Rosemary DeAngelis)

  Board Chair Rosemary DeAngelis addresses final questions regarding the referendum process and explains that the Board has already taken action on reconfiguration. She adjourns the meeting without objection.