SAD 49: Jobs to be eliminated

Morning Sentinel, May 3, 2008

(excerpt) Ten-and-a-half teaching positions will be cut in School Administrative District 49 in the upcoming budget to keep local property taxes in check, Superintendent Dean Baker said Friday.

In all, 18 positions are to be eliminated if voters approve the budget at the May 27 annual budget meeting, he said.

The proposed $23.49 million spending package must be approved by residents from Albion, Benton, Clinton and Fairfield.

A second vote, called a "validation referendum" will be held in all four towns on June 3, when residents will be asked if they support the action taken at the budget meeting.

The overall budget is up only 3 percent over the current year, or about $712,400 Baker said. Spending includes the purchase of two new school buses.

As for the cuts in teaching positions, Baker said half will come from the elementary level, with the other half coming at the secondary level.

"There are going to be significant staff reductions across the board," Baker said. "This is to control the amount of increase we ask taxpayers for. It's to try to create a livable budget."