February 2010: School Report

District 1 Residents,

My first few months on the School Committee has kept me incredibly busy but I’m grateful to be in good company with our hardworking committee members. While I’ve already started my work on a range of education related issues, I wanted to give you an update on the school budget– the issue that’s on the minds of almost every constituent I’ve talked to.

On January 27^th, Portland Public Schools held a public meeting regarding the 2010 school budget development at Deering High School. With the full School Committee in attendance and about 100 parents, students and community members in the audience, Dr. Morse presented information regarding the 2011 budget. Portland faces a large cut in state and federal education aid–up to $4 million from the state and $2 million in federal funding for Medicaid recipients and drug & alcohol education. This is already on top of the $2.7 million mid-year curtailment that came from the state last December.

This isn’t the first time Portland has faced revenue shortfalls, but a $6 million loss of revenue translates to profound impacts at every level and department. Every $1 million loss in state funding equates to a loss of approximately 20 positions. In real terms, $6 million would mean the elimination of 120 positions–or more than 11 percent of the district staff.

The superintendent and the School Committee will take every effort to find efficiencies to lessen the need for layoffs. We’re already moving forward on a multi-year budgeting plan that allows us to plan ahead for capital, program and operational needs. Last fall, a comments section opened up on the Portland schools website to solicit ideas from residents about ways to save money. We continue to explore the ideas generated from the Future Search process to adopt a community-wide vision for the schools. And most recently at the February 3^rd business meeting, the Portland School Committee adopted a resolution to join six other school districts in Southern Maine to request the legislature to adopt a change to the state education funding formula.

Various proposals have been suggested at the state level to temporarily increase revenues to help cover the shortfall in state funding for school districts and municipalities. Revenue increases would need approval from the state legislature and Governor. I encourage residents to share their stories and concerns for Portland schools with members of the Portland legislative delegation and the Governor. I also encourage residents to follow the budget development locally:

· January and February- Cost center presentations

· March 3- Superintendent presents his budget to the School Committee.

· April 5- School Committee presents its budget to the Portland City Council.

· April 26- City Council holds first reading of the school budget.

· May 3- City Council votes on the school budget.

· May 11- Public referendum is held on the school budget.

Updated information can be found on the Portland Schools website under “School Budget Information”: www.portlandschools.org. I welcome your thoughts and concerns on the upcoming budget issues. You can reach me at vendij@portlandschools.org.

Best,

Jenna Vendil

District 1 School Committee