This is "really preliminary," Wiscasset Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson said Jan. 21 at the school committee's first budget workshop. But so far, she said, would-be costs for 2025-26 are up 6% over this year's.

"I would like to not present a 6% increase for the taxpayers. But that will be your decision," Andersson told the committee. She said she will give the committee a complete presentation Feb. 11 and the committee can agree to take that budget to voters, ask for more time, "or you're gonna say, 'This is completely crazy. We need you to take off 3%,' or 2% or 1%, or 17%, whatever number you guys come up with. And then I'll go away, and I'll go back to work with my (administrative) team, and we will find the reductions necessary."

If the committee chooses that third option, another workshop would follow on Feb. 25, Andersson said. The level of state aid should be known by Jan. 31; that number, and the fund balance tap the committee chooses, will both help determine the tax impact of the next budget, Andersson said.

The Jan. 21 workshop and another Jan. 23 — both held in the Wiscasset Middle High School library and carried on the department's YouTube channel — began the committee's budget season that annually leads to a special town meeting and, in June, an up or down vote at the polls.

Andersson voiced support for keeping a change made this year to each school having its own nurse and social worker, along with a principal and assistant principal. "It's working so much better," she said. "It's safer and calmer and more conducive to student learning."

Committee member Jodi Hardwick said that's what she's hearing from teachers. And the teachers are very appreciative, Hardwick said.

Andersson stressed the value of staff who work with the children. "I think it's more important than what I do." This approach could mean, after another couple years without turnover in her job, paring it to more of a part-time one, she said. 

"So that you can keep the money where the kids are, and not in the central office," she explained. 

That would be "after the dust settles" from having 15 superintendents in 25 years, Andersson said. "It's (been) one step forward, two steps back ... There have been so many people at the helm." 

Night two, Andersson and Maintenance and Transportation Director John Merry, who retires a year from now, said plans call for his successor to be hired while Merry is still aboard; Merry hopes that hire could be by summer, for the new person to start to learn the job; and then Merry, after retiring, will still be available "on a contract basis," Andersson said.

"In a lesser capacity," Merry said.

"In case we need help," Andersson added.

The committee meets next at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 in the WMHS library and then, if needed, Feb. 25, same time and place.