JAY — Regional School Unit 73 teachers and directors Thursday tried to come up with ways to save money without eliminating teachers.

Board Chairwoman Denise Rodzen said the board asked for $673,000 in cuts from last year’s budget of $18.8 million and each school’s administrators identified places for savings. The cuts, however, “hit right to the heart of education.”

Rodzen urged administrators to reconsider the cuts that won’t reduce programs for children. She challenged the teaching staff to think outside the box and consider ways to offer the same programs to students while being mindful of costs.

Spruce Mountain High School digital arts teacher Ken Landry accepted the challenge.

“My supply line is $13,500,” he said. “I can wipe that clean. I could go next year with zero.”

Jay resident Dan Ryder said he would like every position proposed for elimination, including digital arts, to stay. He said the school district should consider a “pay-to-play” fee for sports.

Superintendent Kenneth Healey, though, pointed out that 60 percent or more of the students in the district were getting free or reduced-price lunches. He was skeptical that the athletic programs would gain much from implementing pay to play.

“We would be lucky, in my opinion, if we were able to get $4,000,” he said.

Healey added that it could put poorer families at a disadvantage “and then if somebody pays, there would be the greater expectation that they play.”

State Rep. Tina Riley, D-Jay, said, “Sports are important and I think we need to have these, but when we talk about getting rid of teachers so kids can go on trips to play sports, I think we need to look at our priorities.”

Director Holly Richards said she didn’t support cutting a special education teacher, a primary school teacher or the digital arts program as had been proposed in the budget.

Director Tammy Frost wondered whether the school system could put pre-kindergarten children on a bus run with other students in the morning and cut the second morning run specifically designated for pre-kindergartners.

Spruce Mountain Middle School teacher Rob Taylor said he was a big proponent of technology, but wondered if all students needed the level of technology provided by the MacBooks being used. There are many programs on the machines that students don’t use, he said.

Healey said there had been discussions about ordering Chromebook computers instead to save money.

Jay resident Rick Merrill said he was pleased with the way the school board and staff were working together to come up with cuts that would have a minimal impact on students.

“Based on what I heard tonight, I’m encouraged and delighted to say you guys are hearing what is being said and you’re going to come up with the proper decisions that need to be made,” he said.

Healey cleared up a few misconceptions at the meeting.

“I know some people have indicated our system administration is bloated. (The Maine Department of Education) says we’re not bloated,” he said.

Healey said if a full-time administrative position at the Central Office added several years ago was eliminated, it would save $56,297. However, he warned, when the position was part-time, “there was a lot of very important administrative work that was not done on a regular basis.”

At its last meeting, the board of directors asked the school district’s attorneys to verify that the open format used for school warrant articles last year was legal, after several residents questioned it. The attorneys informed them that it was legal to be able to increase amounts in articles, and that Maine’s RSUs generally use the open format.

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