The Wiscasset School Committee has a goal of proposing a 2019-2020 budget with little or no increase. Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood plans to have a first draft of the budget for the committee’s review before a Feb. 26 workshop.

Student enrollment, which has been trending downward, is among the biggest factors impacting the budget, Wood said Feb. 12. The school system's K-12 enrollment is currently at 497 students, with 221 in the elementary school and 276 at the middle high school. Last year’s enrollment was 524.

“Class sizes are an issue. We currently have just 25 students in the fifth grade,” continued Wood. She suggested class sizes and bus runs might be adjusted. Staffing at all levels will also need to be evaluated, she added.

“We don’t want to take away programs from our students. There’s going to be a lot of discussion and decisions to be made."

Tuition revenue is also trending downward. Wood didn’t know how many students have transferred to another district over the last year but promised to have the number at the next meeting.

“Our goal, my directive, is to come up with a flat budget with very little or no increase to the local taxes,” said Wood. “A majority of your budget you won’t have control over because it consists of salaries and benefits.”

Four members of Wiscasset’s budget committee attended the meeting. None addressed the school committee.

A budget workshop is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the central office.

Police Chief Larry Hesseltine is introducing the new D.A.R.E. program in the elementary school. The program has changed. “It’s about keeping it real, sharing real life stories with students helping them to make better decisions,” he said. “It also helps build a good rapport between young people and police.”

Elementary principal Stacy White said Hesseltine’s work with the students has been “exceptional.”

Facilities Director John Merry announced completion of the school energy project. Tom Seekins, who manages Siemens' energy group, and project manager Brian Rancourt gave a PowerPoint presentation of improvements.

The project included an energy audit of the school facilities followed by the installation of energy-saving LED lighting, window replacements and upgrades to the heating and ventilation systems.  

Principal Charles Lomonte said the high school has been “laser focused” on improving student math skills in all grades. He noted an SAT math preparatory course taught by math teacher Chris Hammond has 12 students.

The first of two lockdown drills at Wiscasset Middle High School is set for Feb. 26. Lomonte concluded by urging school committee members to mark 5 p.m. March 13 on the calendar for a planned poetry recital. “You’re all invited to attend and participate,” he said.

The committee adopted policies on student attendance, suspension of students, and students' use of cell phones. Another policy addressing weapons, violence and school safety was also adopted. All of the votes were 3-0. Members Desiree Bailey and Indriani Demers were absent.

The committee approved hiring Ashley Poland as an elementary school educational technician III.

Resignations were received from French teacher Irene Marchenay, effective at the end of school year, and social studies teacher Benjamin Clark, effective March 1.

The board met in executive session for collective bargaining. The committee’s next regular meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 19 in the WMHS library.