BETHEL — MSAD-44 school board members unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 budget on April 14 at Telstar Library. “It’s an increase and there’s no way around saying that without completely slashing and burning everything we have as an institution that we have for programming and staffing … ,” said Superintendent Mark Kenney.

He added that when they started the budget process in January the increase was just under 22%; the committee trimmed it to an increase of 13.66%.

The budget is up 2.1M to a total of 17.6M for fiscal year 2026.

The three largest jumps were in Special Education with seven new positions and service position rates rising. It is up 45.56%; Vocational Education is up 18.47% or $11,083. Building and Grounds has risen 15.22% or $327,808, for primarily maintenance, said Kenney, who added, “We are not going to be in line for a new building in the next 20 years. We have to maintain what we have.”

MSAD-44 eliminated two teaching positions; three other schools in the district will be cutting as many as 30 positions, said Kenney.

Town breakdown

The increase for Bethel is 11.5%; Greenwood’s increase is 6%; Newry’s is 12.1%; and Woodstock is a 5.10% increase.

Yes, there has been a larger increase in those that are economically disadvantaged, said Kenney in response to a question about why more low-income applications were received this year, allowing for more state money to come to the district.

Following a Woodstock School initiative, teacher’s school supplies will be ordered in bulk for K-8 students.

Kenney said they have one last bus to pay off as they transition to privatization with RideSource. By year three, there will be savings to the district.

Federal cuts

The disagreement between President Donald Trump and Governor Janet Mills over the Title VI Civil Rights Act and Title IX has come to Bethel, too.

Currently the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) is asking school superintendents not to sign the federal edict; they are waiting for further guidance, said Kenney.  By not signing the federal Title VI law, funds may be withheld. He added that their Title VI monies are minimal.

Maine Human Rights Act supersedes the Title VI Act. The de facto position is to not sign it, said Kenney. Chair Erin Cooley asked if anyone on the Board felt strongly about Kenney signing the Title VI edict. No one on the Board

Title IX federal executive order from President Trump reverts everything back to 2020 status. Telstar is unaffected by the law.

Kenney said frozen USDA grants are effecting a technology grant that funds the purchase of iPads for grades five through grade eight. They are waiting to hear more, so they can proceed.

The district’s Homeland Security Grant is also on pause. This effects updates to entryways, security doors, and other projects at Telstar.

People’s Veto

Kenney warned the Board about a People’s Veto Petition, a statewide citizen petition referendum to freeze the Maine state budget causing a potential shut down if the applicants are able to get the required 67,682 signatures from registered Maine voters by June 18.

If the group of six current and former Republican lawmakers led by Rep. Gary Drinkwater, R-Milford, met the deadline, the secretary of state’s office would need to pause implementation of the budget on July 1 and send the question to voters in November.

“If it makes it through, we will struggle to open our doors in the Fall,” said Kenney.

Other business

Board Member Marcy Winslow said the Telstar students in Europe are having the time of their life. She knows because she hasn’t heard from her son. “But, I know he’s alive. I’ve seen pictures.”

A Telstar Middle School Track coach was found, Two new custodians and possibly a third part timer have been found. There is a new ed tech at Crescent Park School. Kenney said he has accepted three resignations, one is the head of Adult Education, Julie Hart.

Kenney asked the Board for help in resolving their contract with Andover. Transportation was the one hang up, he said. “Do we want to extend transportation … ?”

“I think we give out too much,” said one board member. Others agreed that the other Towns – Newry, Hanover and Andover – should pay their own way.

MSAD-44 School Board meets Monday May 5 at 6:30 at Telstar Library.