RSU 10 offering retirement incentives

MEXICO -- At their meeting on Feb. 25, the RSU 10 board of directors approved a request by Supt. Tom Ward to offer a one-time retirement incentive program to teachers who are presently eligible to retire, in accordance with the provisions of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.

This is actually the third retirement incentive program offered. Ward said they have done this every other year, which "has generated a significant amount of money."

The incentive involves extending the health insurance into the retirement. The deadline for those to participate is April 12.

In other business, the majority of the meeting involved the proposed budget presentations by the district's elementary, middle and high school principals.

George Reuter, principal of Buckfield Junior-Senior High School, requested the highest change for operation of the school, at about $31,000 more than the funding request for the previous school year. However, most of that additional money, $25,000, will be needed to begin the accreditation process for the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.

Whenever a high school must begin such a process, a team must be named and a thorough review of activities, academics and other parts of the high school must be studied. Also, the NEASC team must visit the school at least once for several days.

Michael Poulin, principal of Dirigo High School, requested the least amount of funds at just $250 over the current year’s figures.

Mountain Valley High School Principal Matt Gilbert’s presentation came in at about $23,000 over the current amount.

Assistant Superintendent and Curriculum Coordinator Gloria Jenkins also presented her budget, which reflected a $25,000 increase, largely due to the district’s goal toward implementing mass customized learning.

All the proposed budgets will likely see changes as the board goes through the budget preparation process.

Ward said they will take those figures and relate that to the per pupil cost for both instructional and co-curricular. They will also take a look at what is an appropriate student/teacher ratio.

"The major thing is, when we go down through the whole process, is going to be what is the impact on the towns. What can we reasonably take for an increase to the towns? We're a long ways from being able to figure that out," he noted.

A plan to discuss future district facilities' usage at this week’s meeting will take place at a special meeting or at the regular March 11 board meeting.