News

School Board Members Field Budget Questions
By Chuck Mahaleris

Members of the Gray-New Gloucester School Board have been fielding phone calls, answering emails, and talking with people on the street in an effort to answer questions residents have with this year's budget proposal Superintendent of Schools Michael Wood submitted to the board during their last meeting.

Board Chair Sarah McCleary has by far taken the most calls from residents. She said she has had about 20 phone calls and emails with all 20 expressing displeasure with the budget proposal and specifically against the plan to combine elementary schools and use Russell Elementary School for other functions.

"Most people are saying they will do whatever it takes to
keep that school open. They say: 'Raise my taxes.' The second reaction is the "shoot the messenger" reaction. They think I'm a sell out. They don't think we are telling them the truth."

McCleary favors additional funding for schools is open to ideas. "If someone can give me better ideas, then I am all ears. I understand they're frustrated. I really do. I just don't think I can accommodate them. Of all the solutions this is the least bad solution."

Vice Chair Bill Corrigan has received the least amount of calls with only one call from someone trying to gauge the reaction of each board member.
"I got a couple communications from Russell parents," said Board Member Anne Gass. "It really hasn't been overwhelming. I had one comment to do whatever was necessary to keep taxes low. It really is a difficult position. No one on the board is happy about the school reorganization." She went on to say, "You can't nickel and dime a million-dollar deficit." The budget proposal Wood submitted must be approved by the school board before it can be brought before voters in June for consideration.

"I've only had a couple emails and a few phone calls," said Board Member Dan Maguire Tuesday night. He said that some have been negative but others have wanted to spend time and discuss the problem at length and learn all the details of the problem. I have found a willingness from people to have a conversation," Maguire said. "People seem to be willing to get facts. Not everyone is going to be happy but if we all put the interests of the kids first we should come up with a good solution."

Board member Julie Ricardi said she has been stopped six times by people on the street and received four calls and letters. "None of the responses I've received had whole-hearted support for the budget," she said. "We'll work through it. We have high energy. The public is much more involved than I've ever seen. That's a good thing."

Alan Rich said he has received two phone calls and no emails. "Basically ,this year's budget really amounts to such a significant change from past practice … I think the magnitude of the impact is that those affected want
to try in some way to sway the electorate (to support a tax increase to support education)."

Similar efforts have failed in the past and Wood's proposal calls for an average of 3% tax increase for the two towns.

Board members Peter Pinkerton, Carmel Morin, Tod Bennett, Jim Hutchinson, and Amy Wilbur could not be reached Tuesday night for comment.