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2013-2014 SCHOOL BUDGET - What is next?
The School Budget failed in referendum with about 10% of eligible Scarborough voters casting ballots. The School Board met on May 23rd and revised their budget with an additional $54,000 reduction. School Board members cited the irreparable harm that would be done to educational programs and services with any deeper cuts. They referenced a list of potential cuts in school programs that would need to be made if more reductions in the budget are ordered by the Town Council. See Potential Budget Reductions FY2014.
The Town Council will meet in public session on Wednesday, May 29th at 7:00 PM in Town Hall Chambers to react to the revised School Budget and may, at that time, determine how they wish to further reduce the budget before sending it on to a second referendum vote. School supporters are being advised by the School Board to let the Town Council know that the School Budget cannot withstand any further cuts.
BUDGET NEWS
Special Town Council
May 29, 2013
7:00 PM
1st vote on revised school budget
Town Council
June 5, 2013
7:00 PM
Public hearing on school budget
2nd vote on revised school budget (setting bottom line)
School Board
June 6, 2013
7:00 PM
Vote on Town Council's Revised School Budget
Referendum Vote
June 11, 2013
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
ADJUSTMENT TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR, 2012-2013
At their May 16, 2013 meeting, the School Board approved Dr. Entwistle's proposal to move the last student day (full-day) to Friday, June 14, 2013, from the current last day of Monday, June 17 (half-day). In exchange for this waiver of the half-day of school, all students are asked to spend the equivalent amount of time (about 3-1/2 hours) between June 14 and the start of the new school year, engaging in community service, and/or exploring a possible career or careers. Parents are asked to support their students in these endeavors. The last day of school for teachers and staff remains unchanged.
Upon return to school in the fall, all students will be provided a developmentally appropriate opportunity to report-out on their service and/or career exploration. Each Principal will determine the format for these reflective report-outs.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RESIGNATION
At their meeting on May 16, 2013, the Scarborough Board of Education accepted Aymie Hardesty's resignation. With less than six months until the next regular election and in compliance with the Town Charter, the Board chose not to hold a special election to fill the vacancy. Board members thanked Ms. Hardesty for her contributions and wished her well as she manages through some health issues.
School Budget for 2013-2014 - A Message for Staff and Community
A message from the Superintendent regarding the creation of the FY2014 school budget can be examined by reviewing this link.
A message from the Superintendent regarding the creation of the FY2014 school budget can be examined by reviewing this link.
To preview the complete FY2014 budget, please click here.
Department of Education School Report Cards
Those of us who work in schools and in public education recognize that it is impossible to truly capture the work and the progress happening in schools using a single grade (as is now the system that has been adopted by the Maine Department of Education).
Such a practice is far too simplistic and some may even find such a practice distasteful. The Report for the Scarborough Public Schools is available here. (Click here) Please note that grades are only assigned to school with students in grade levels participating in state assessments - and so, grades are not assigned for Scarborough's K-2 schools.
My "take-away" from this report card:
The hard work, dedication, and commitment of ALL of Scarborough's school staff is top notch. The investments of time, effort, and resources are all the right investments and they are returning big dividends in terms of improved student learning. We hope that the community will recognize that their continued investments in our schools are absolutely essential in order to keep us on a positive trajectory of continuous improvement.
Dr. George H. Entwistle 3rd
Superintendent of Schools
Thank you! The Community Dialogue Continues!
I want to express my sincerest gratitude to those community members, students, parents, staff, and municipal, civic and business leaders who participated in Scarborough Public School District's Second Community Dialogue on April 23, 2013. Community Dialogues happen every 18-months - the first was in October, 2011.
The Community Dialogue was created to ensure that our current and future action plans are responsive to the needs of Scarborough students, their parents, and our schools and community at large. The dialogue process builds on a framework of local accountability - one that is student centered and designed to deliver on the expectations of the Scarborough Community.
The important considerations that emerged from the Community Dialogue will allow us to more clearly articulate the organization's long term goals and to refine the key areas for immediate improvement across our schools. These improvement themes, together with important student data and knowledge of best educational practices, will allow us to refresh and renew our 18-Month Improvement Strategy for the Scarborough Public Schools.
In this current fiscal environment, it is critical that school leaders and staff are crystal clear about our priorities so that our resources and energy can be best directed to achieve the desired improvements. As we have since our first Community Dialogue in 2011, we will continue to keep the community informed about our planning and our progress.
Good news…the Community Dialogue continues online! All of the proceedings and important considerations that came out of each of the dialogues can be accessed online by way of a link in this news article. An opportunity for additional input on all dialogue topics is available here for those either unable to get to all of the dialogues they had hoped to attend or for those unable to attend the event at all. The online link will stay active through May 10, 2013.
Thank you again, to all those who made the Scarborough Public Schools Community Dialogue such a tremendous success.
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Dr. George H. Entwistle 3rd
Superintendent of Scarborough Public Schools
Add comments to the Community Dialogue
NEWS RELEASE - February 27, 2013
Please click here for an important NEWS RELEASE from Superintendent Entwistle - Safe Schools: A Comprehensive Approach is Needed.
Upcoming Events
FOOTLOOSE is coming to the Scarborough High School Auditorium!
FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. This family-friendly production of the rockin' musical will be presented by the Scarborough Middle School Theater Team.
Dates:
Friday, May 3rd at 6:00PM
Saturday, May 4th at 2:00PM and 6:00PM
Sunday, May 5th at 2:00PM
Tickets:
$3.00 - Students/Seniors
$5.00 - Adults
$15.00 - Family maximum
Tickets are available for purchase at the Scarborough High School Auditorium before each show.