Public school districts across southern Maine are taking significant steps to curb spending in preparation for a midyear reduction in state aid and a grim funding future.
Portland, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth have frozen discretionary spending. Westbrook is eliminating at least four administrative positions to save more than $500,000 a year. And the regional school unit in Bath is preparing for what could be crippling layoffs.
Gov. John Baldacci has asked Education Commissioner Susan Gendron to reduce state funding to schools by $38 million in the fiscal year that ends June 30, said David Connerty-Marin, the commissioner's spokesman.
In 2010-11, state aid to schools is expected to drop an additional $53 million. Exactly how much each district will lose may not be known until the Legislature reconvenes in January, but many administrators aren't waiting to find out.
On Tuesday, South Portland Superintendent Suzanne Godin froze her district's $39.5 million budget in anticipation of a $1.2 million reduction in state aid this year.
Spending on everything from books and classroom supplies to field trips and professional development must be reviewed and determined to be necessary. Administrators will limit overtime spending to essential transportation, food services and building maintenance.
"We know freezing spending alone isn't going to be enough," Godin said. "We're trying to be proactive, but we're not sure how deep we'll have to go."
South Portland has $700,000 in federal stimulus money that can be used to cover part of the reduction, Godin said. She's working with a panel of administrators and union leaders to look for other savings.
Portland Superintendent Jim Morse froze spending late last week and is developing a $2.7 million curtailment plan to deliver to the School Committee on Nov. 18. All discretionary spending in the city's 16 public schools must be reviewed by Morse and Business Manager Herb Hopkins.
"I didn't want a deluge of spending between now and Nov. 18," Morse said. "We are in a frozen situation and every expense is being reviewed. Ninety-five percent of the time, I'm going to be saying no."
State aid covers nearly $15 million of Portland's $91.3 million school budget this year. The threat of a midyear loss of nearly $3 million raises the possibility that school employees could be laid off, necessary positions could be left open, and sports and other extracurricular activities could be eliminated.
Morse and others said they hope for legislative changes that would let school districts absorb this year's reduction over two years.
Without such an option, midyear layoffs would save little in the current budget year, he said. Under union contracts, the district must provide 90 days' notice before laying off employees, and pay unemployment for several months after layoffs.
Even if they're allowed to spread this year's reduction over two years, Portland school officials anticipate a $6 million reduction in state aid in 2010-11. So, when the School Committee starts preparing next year's budget in a few months, cuts are expected to go well beyond discretionary spending.
Westbrook Superintendent Reza Namin is preparing for a $400,000 state-aid reduction in the district's $33.2 million budget. He's consolidating administrative positions to address a possible $600,000 reduction in 2010-11.
The Westbrook School Committee unanimously endorsed Namin's plan to eliminate four administrative positions July 1, which promises to save $500,000 in annual salaries and benefits.
Namin said he hopes to offer those employees other positions in the district if they become available through retirements or resignations.
"It was very difficult emotionally for me and the administrators involved," Namin said. "It wasn't personal. It was about the organizational structure. Regardless of the revenue shortfall, it will be...
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