The Yarmouth School Committee will be holding its second and final budget workshop at the Rowe School in the Professional Development Room on February 14^th at 7:00 p.m.  During that workshop, there will be a continued discussion on the feasibility of full-day kindergarten as well as a discussion of special education costs and the capital reserve plan.  The public is welcome to attend this workshop session.

To view the presentation on the 2012-2013 budget that was presented at the January 26th School Committee meeting, go to this link

January 2012

 Dear Citizens of Yarmouth,

 On January 26^th I will present a draft budget to the School Committee.  At that time I will further explain what I will now outline in this letter. 

 The development of the 2012-13 budget was done with extra care, as this coming year is the one we have been anticipating – the year often referred to as “the cliff,” when federal funds are discontinued and districts are left with a revenue deficit.  We prepared for this loss of federal funds in a couple of ways.  First, we set aside prior year’s fund balances into a reserve account.  The $126,520 remaining in this tax stability reserve account will be applied to the 2012-13 budget, decreasing the tax allocation requested. 

We also deferred use of the $533,000 Federal Jobs Bill funds to the 2011-12 budget while others had used at least a portion of these funds in the 2010-11 school year. Tightening our belt for a time rather than using Federal funds to increase expenditures, was the prudent thing to do.  Eventually, however, whether in the 2011-12 budget or the 2012-13 budget, we would have to see an end to these Federal funds.

During the development of the 2012-13 budget, administrators were asked to provide rationales for requests previously taken for granted.  The purpose was to identify areas that may be considered for reduction that would not result in a detriment to our instructional program.  Every budget line was scrutinized.  Herb Hopkins, our Director of Business Services, and members of the administrative team have worked incredibly hard this year to prepare this budget.

Because the current fiscal year is the last year we will be paying on the middle school bond, the amount of funds the school department needs for debt service in 2012-13 will be approximately $450,000 less than in the current fiscal year.  Thus, the reduction in debt service and the funds in the tax stability reserve account balance out the loss of Federal funds. 

On January 26^th I will report a value for our projected increase in expenditures that considers no additional programs and no loss of programs.  While additional work is being done on the draft budget at this time, this value is anticipated to be somewhere in the range of 1.25% to 1.75%.  Again, this minimal increase was only possible through careful planning.   Had we not set aside funds in a tax reserve account, had we used some of our Federal funds prior to last year, had we not scrutinized every line of every school’s budget, we would instead be reporting a higher expenditure increase and would be coming to the taxpayers for a much higher tax allocation.

The draft budget will be considered by the School Committee and looked at in greater detail during the two budget workshop sessions scheduled on February 7^th and February 14^th at the Rowe School. At that time the School Committee may recommend allocating additional funds to the budget or make budget reductions.  The School Committee eventually votes on a final budget then proposes this budget to the Town Council, which considers the School Committee requests and makes budget recommendations to the community.  The community votes on the school and municipal budgets at the Town Meeting then votes again in a ballot referendum on the school budget.

This year the School Committee’s work will be a challenge.  During this fall’s program review, a committee researching the benefits of a full day kindergarten program presented a compelling argument for the consideration of full day K.  Although the committee had not yet organized community forums for input, the idea was to determine if the addition of this program would be fiscally feasible at this time.  If that were the case, the next step would be to gather community input to determine if this would be a good idea for our community.  Answering the question, “is it fiscally feasible at this time?” before answering the question, “do we want this program in our community?”  is the responsible thing to do. 

During the January 26^th School Committee meeting I will present information about the effect of the addition of full day K to the school’s budget and the subsequent effect on a tax increase for Yarmouth citizens.  We will not debate whether or not full day K should be considered at this time.  Instead, School Committee members may spend time during the 2 subsequent workshop sessions to consider:

Should we research further the consideration of full day K at this time by organizing community forums to get input from the community?

 

Should we postpone our consideration of full day K at this time due to the economic environment?

 

If we consider full day K at this time, should we identify programming cuts in other areas to offset the costs of full day kindergarten?

I invite you to attend any and all of the following meetings at which the School Committee will further develop the 2012-2013 school budget:

    Tuesday, February 7^th                   Budget Workshop                          7 p.m.   Rowe School

    Tuesday, February 14^th              Budget Workshop                          7 p.m.   Rowe School

    Thursday, March 8^th                   SC Meeting/Adopt Budget             7 p.m.   Log Cabin           

If you have any suggestions or questions, do not hesitate to contact me or any School Committee member.

Sincerely,

 

Judith J. Paolucci, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The Yarmouth School Department no longer offers email notification of storm closings for all schools. All storm closings will continue to be submitted to the stations listed below.

We will also post school closings on the Yarmouth School Department Web Site [http://www.yarmouthschools.org] whenever possible under “District News and Announcements”.

You may want to use one of the local news stations services to get text or email notifications  (standard text and data rates apply) for storm closures of the Yarmouth Schools.

WCSH (NBC) - Text Message
http://www.wcsh6.com/weather/resources/text_alert/default.aspx

WGME (CBS) - Text Message
http://www.wgme.com/mobile/

WMTW (ABC) - Email or Text Message
http://www.wmtw.com/closingssignup/index.html

Radio Stations
WPOR
WGAN
WMGX
WCLZ
WYNZ
WZAN
WVAE
WBAE
WBLM
WCYY
WJBQ
WHOM
WWGT

Television Stations
WGME-TV
WCSH-TV
WMTW-TV
WMSJ

Morgan Cuthbert received the prestigious national teaching award, along with a check for $25,000 at a school assembly with state and local dignitaries on October 24th.  For more information about Morgan and the Milken Award, please see the attached article from Maine DOE News.

Bus Routes for Grades K-4 Morning Pickup

 

Mr. Gordon:  (Bus # 9) starts at 7:35 AM

General Area:  Ledge Rd., including Odell Way, Mountford Rd., and Fiddlers Way

Granite St., including Berryfield Rd., Granite St. Ext. turning around Eider Point Dr., Old County Rd., Hayfield Rd., then to E. Main St., to the East Main St., bridge, includes the Bluffs, Collins Rd., (including the Junipers) and Indian Ridge Rd. to Rt #1 across from Pat’s Pizza.

Miss Cline (Bus # 8) starts at 7:30 A.M.

General Area:  Greely Rd., Newell Rd., Deacon/Anderson,  Applecrest,  Applecrest/Bittersweet, Applecrest/Hawthorne, Hickory/Sycamore, Boxwood/Beechtree, Rainbow/Upland, Madison,  W. Main/Fieldstone, Bowdoin. Tannery, Bates.

Mrs. Darling:  (Bus #  6)  starts at 7:35 A.M.

General Area: Main St at Goff’s Marina/ Rocky Hill, Lafayette St., Fairwind, Starboard Reach, Gilman, Royall Point, Royall Meadows, Vaill Point, White’s Cove, Drinkwater, Kingfisher, Seaborne, Morton, Outer Princes Pt., Sea Spray, Sunset Pt., Princes Pt. To Westcustogo, East Main St. to Yankee Dr., Yankee/Willow, Bridge St. Main St. from Bridge to York St., then go to Rowe and YES

Mr. Small (Bus # 7 )  starts at 7:35 A.M.

General Area:  Cousins St. including Maplewood, Elmwood, then to Wharf Rd. Spruce Pt. Rd.,  back to Shoreview, Talbot Rd., including Ocean Reach,  Littlejohns Island, Ashland, Almonte/Firebarn, Sea Meadows, Eben Hill, Lady Slipper, turn around back to Cousins St., Groves Rd., Sandy Pt.,   Westcustogo Pt.,  Just after Cousins Bridge, Pleasant St., Baywoods, Main St. to Bridge St. then go to Rowe and  to YES.

Mrs. Fairbanks:  (Bus #  15)  starts at 7:35 A.M.

General Area:  Main St. from fork at Old Fire Barn on the North Side of hill down to Lafayette St., Spring St., Bayview, Old Shipyard Rd.,Harborview, Mast Lane/Landing Woods, Seabury,  Sisquisic,  Broad Arrow,  Bayview/Woodland, Osprey, Waters Edge, Bayview Ext./Bayview St. Apartments, Rt. #1 to Even Keel Rd.,  Main St./Town Hall, Rowe then to YES.

Mr. Witkowski:  (Bus #  3) starts at 7:30 A.M.

General Area: Portland St., High St., High St./Sandybrook, Mayberry Ln.,  Rand Rd., Bennett, Toddle Inn,Yarmouth Woods,  Upper Portland St. including Woods Circle, Winding Way, Abby Lane, Astible, West Elm, including  Oakwoods, Idle Acre, Essex Dr., YES then to Glen Rd., South St. on the Way to Rowe School.

Mr. Boucher (Bus # 1 )  starts at 7:40 A.M.

General Area:  E. Elm to Northwood, North St., Lilac Lane to Concord Circle, Old Field Rd., E. Elm  to Leighton, Autumn Ln., Pinewood, John Howland, Plimoth Way,  North Street to E. Main,  including Gable Dr., Balsam Ln and Cedar Ridge.,Brookside, then to Rowe, South St., Village Brook and YES.

Mr. Waldroup  (Bus # 14) starts 7:30 AM

General Area:  Ledgewood Dr., Hillside St.,  Church St/Baker/Deering., Cumberland St., Bates/Summer St., Sligo Rd.,  W. Main back to Andy Handys, Melissa Dr., to Burnell, Rogers Rd., Gail Lane, Rebecca, Sweetser (Songbird), Greenleaf St.,E. Main from Ramp to Willow,  Rowe then to YES

 

Bus Routes for Middle School and High School Morning Pickup

 

Mrs. Darling (Bus # 6 ) starts at 6:50 A.M.  General Area:

Littlejohn Is., Talbot Rd.,  Wharf Rd., Spruce Pt., Madeline Pt., Shoreview, Maplewood, Ashland, Almonte, Sea Meadows, Eben Hill, Sara Gould, Lady Slipper, Groves Rd.,  Sandy Pt.,  Westcustogo Pt., Layfayette on right side heading North,  Middle School, High School.

 

Mr. Gordon (Bus #9 ) starts at 6:40 A.M. General Area: 

East Main St., Indian Ridge, Collins Rd., (including the Junipers), the Bluff’s, Old County Rd., Hayfield, Granite St., Granite St. Ext.,  Berryfield, Ledge Rd., Fiddlers, Mountfort, Odell Way, to North St., Middle School, High School.

 

Mr. Boucher ( Bus #1 )  starts at 6:50 A.M.  General Area:

North St., from bus garage Gables Dr., Balsam Ln.  Cedar Ridges, Brookside, John Howland, Concord Circle, Ryder Rd.,  North St./E. Elm, Alderbrook Ln.,  Northwood, Deport Rd., Leighton Rd.,   Riverbend, E. Elm, to Andy Handy’s Store Main St., W. Elm/ Church St. High School, Middle School

 

Mr. Small (Bus #7 ) starts at 6:45 A.M.  General Area: 

Lafayette St, to  Fairwinds, Fairwinds/Starboard Reach,  Rte. #88,  back to Gilman,  Gilman/Larrabee Landing,  Burbank Farm, Royal Pt., Royal Meadows, Gilman/White’s Cove, Drinkwater Pt., Seaborne/Channel Pt., Drinkwater/Morton, Princes Pt.,  Princes Pt./ Sea Spray Reach, Sunset Pt., Princes Pt./Old Town Landing Rd.,  Princes Pt., Westcustogo Inn. Pleasant St to Main St. to Bridge St..Middle then High School.

 

Mr. Witkowski (Bus # 3 ) starts at 6:45 A.M.  General Area:

 Rogers Rd., Burnell Dr., Melissa Dr.,to Royal River Bridge on E. Elm then to  Portland St.,  Portland St./High St.,  Portland St./Rand,  Yarmouth Woods, Portland St./Woods Circle,  Portland St./Winding Way,  Portland St./Abby Lane,  outer West Elm St to the High School then Middle.

 

Mrs.  Fairbanks  (Bus # 15 ) starts at 6:45 A.M.  General Area: 

E. Main from the Rte. #1 overpass,  Willow St.,  Spring St.,  Bayview St.,  Browns Pt., Waters Edge Dr.,  Heron Cove,  Sisquisic Trail,  Harborview Dr., Bayview Ext., E. Main Yankee, Willow, Bridge then to High School,  Middle School

 

Miss Cline (Bus # 8 ) starts at 6:40 A.M.

Greely Rd. then to Rainbow Farms, Applecrest, Anderson , Newell Rd. Bowdoin, Bates, Sligo Rd.  High School then Middle School.

 

 

Kindergarten Morning Session Take Home

 

Mr. Small #7 White Line	Mr. Boucher #1 Blue Line	Mr. Gordon Bus #9 Purple Line
Cleaves Street Toddle Inn Lower Main Street Marina Road Pleasant Street Lafayette Street Fairwind Lane Gilman Road Royall Meadows Road Royall Point Road Vaill Point Road. Princes Point Road Morton Road Cousins Island Littlejohn Island	Bridge Street Willow Street Yankee Drive Lower East Main Street Bayview Street area Collins Road Songbird Rogers Road	Upper Main Street East Elm Street area Northwood North Road area Concord Circle Ledge Road Granite Street area

 

 

Kindergarten Afternoon Session Pickup

 

Mr. Gordon (Bus #9 ) starts at 11:50 AM General Area:

 

North Rd., Burnell, Melissa, Rogers, Songbird Daycare, Stockbridge, Autumn Lane.

 

Miss Cline (Bus # 8 ) starts at 11:40 A.M. General Area:

 

Portland St., Rand Rd. Toddle Inn, Yarmouth Woods, Outer Portland St.,

Woods Circle, Abby Lane, Oakwoods, Essex Dr., Glen Rd., Tenny St., Baker St.

South St.

 

Mr. Witkowski (Bus # 3) starts at 11:40 A.M. General Area:

Greely Rd., Rainbow Farm, Madison Dr., Applecrest, Boxwood,

Hickory Lane, Bittersweet Circle, Howells Daycare, Summer St.,

Hillside, Bates, Tannery, W. Main, Sligo Rd.