FARMINGTON — Several suggestions were made Tuesday night regarding the 2016-17 Regional School Unit 9 budget, but no budget was approved. 

Negotiations will continue at the next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at the Forum at Mt. Blue Campus.

The first budget proposal of $32.97 million presented to voters June 14 was rejected, 1,518 to 1,655. It was $929,273 more than the current budget, which covers the fiscal year ending June 30.

RSU 9 Director Ryan Morgan of Farmington asked to reconsider a vote from the previous meeting where the board voted to reopen the second year of the administrative bargaining unit’s two-year contract to adjust previously negotiated salary increases. The request came from administrators.

“It’s a contract,” Morgan said. “I believe we should let this contract go through and negotiate different terms next year. It’s just not right.” 

Director Nancy Crosby of Weld agreed. “We need to operate on good faith,” she said.

Director Keith Swett of Wilton said voters are going to have a problem with the 7 to 8 percent increases some administrators received in the last contract negotiation.

Superintendent Tom Ward said many of the administrators have been with the district for years. After years of budget cuts to hold the line, staff are leaving to work in neighboring districts.

“We’re trying to be fair and treat people right,” Ward said. “Seventy-five percent of the budget is people. The increases make salaries competitive.”

The vote to rescind the contract renegotiation passed 530-471; however, it was later announced the vote couldn’t be counted because the issue wasn’t on the meeting agenda and therefore required a two-thirds majority.

Laptops, world languages, nonessential programs and educational technician positions were suggested as possible areas where cuts could be made. In each case, the impact those cuts would have on students was stressed.

Keeping laptops at the schools and doing away with insurance was proposed.

Mt. Blue Middle School Principal Jason Bellerose said this would discriminate against some students.

“Would you tell students they can’t take a textbook home?” Mt. Blue Middle School Assistant Principal Joel Smith said. “That’s what the laptops are being used for.” 

The world language program, expanded at the request of the community, was for grades one through 12 in 2007, retired Spanish teacher Carol Perez said. Within two years of her retirement, the cuts began.

“The elementary level is where you need to begin language learning,” Perez said. 

Paying to participate in athletics and co-curricular activities was suggested. The district pays $442,000 without transportation costs for roughly 1,130 students.

Director Betsy Hyde of Temple said that’s about $400 per student. Some may participate in more than one activity. She has three high school athletes and has paid thousands of dollars for shoes, cleats and uniforms. 

Some students stay in school because of their involvement in sports, Hyde said, and used her son as an example. Instead of learning behind a desk, he learned on the football field and wrestling mat.

“Sports are expensive,” Hyde said. “I think they’re less expensive than the consequences of not having them for all students.”

Director Angela LeClair of Wilton said half of uniform costs are paid for by the student. Athletes do a lot of fundraising. There is a lot of misinformation out there, she said. 

Whether through taxes or fundraising efforts, neighbors are still paying, parent Siiri Stinson said.

“For some kids, these programs are their ticket out of poverty,” Stinson said.

Stinson has seven children, one with special needs. 

“Education is about reaching your potential,” Stinson said. “My daughter’s potential is no less important. The reality is, we all still end up paying either through taxes or 20 kids at your door or through higher police costs. Thinking cutting the school budget will alleviate the tax burden is very shortsighted.”

Smith said a student spends about 87 hours with the teacher in a semester English course. A student in fall varsity sports spends 120 hours with the coach.

“Grades go up when students are in sports,” Smith said. “There’s huge value there.” 

“There’s no fat in this district and hasn’t been in a long time,” taxpayer and teacher Doug Hodum said. “Comparing this district to other districts isn’t fair. Please don’t continue to cut. You’re not cutting anything but bones.”

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