The Superintendent for MSAD #60 Paul Andrade presented his preliminary budget to Lebanon Selectmen last evening. The 2009-10 budget reflects a decrease of $484,421 in total which amounts to Lebanon’s share of expenses reducing by $221,670. These are preliminary figures and can change as determination of federal stimulus funds is being clarified and the final public review is completed. This was all very welcome news to Selectmen who have been working on cutting town budgets to lower the tax rate.
You may listen to Mr. Andrade’s presentation Here (excerpt from selectmen meeting) in MP3 26.2mb or view video Here 106mb 29 minutes. A copy of the handout he provided may be viewed and printed here in PDF format to follow along with the discussion. Bear in mind this budget is subject to change and that there will be a public meeting at the Noble High School gymnasium on May 7, 2009 at 7pm. The meeting will be Town Hall style and this meeting will actually set the final official budget for vote on by the Towns.
There is also potential for greater cuts should the Governors Laptop program not be instituted.
Watch 04-07-09 Lebanon Maine – School Budget Review in News | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
I have always been amazed at the amount of waste in our school district. Every other school district is cutting positions and reducing the budget. This year we may get lucky and get a small decrease. But what about the approx 1.5 million in increases Lebanon has paid in the past three years? Why give kids laptops? Put a computer in their classrooms and give them each time. Cut some positions that are unnecessary. Do we need so much staff? Do 5 year olds need computer classes? Do we need to teach kids foreign languages so young? DO each child need their own laptops. I do not even have a lap top. I went to school a long time ago. We saw computers in college, and guess what, I made it and graduated!! Why waste so much money. We have some great teachers and staff, but too much waste
Concerned,
Much of the increases over the past years was due to reduced State funding and increased pupil ratios for our town.
I am all for technology in our schools…today’s world is NOT the same world you and I grew up in, so I see the need for technology exposure. I agree 5 year olds should not have expensive laptops but older students should see some exposure, to me a dedicated workcenter or equipment in the library should be enough. Laptops are expensive, fragile, and obsolete quickly.