A majority of the 20 board directors of the new Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit (SVRSU) voted themselves compensation of $25 per meeting as well as mileage reimbursement at the rate of 55-cents a mile. The full board meets twice a month.
At the Feb. 5 session, director Rick Cote of Chelsea, protested, “Come on, folks. That’s way too expensive.”
By meeting’s end, big numbers appeared to be the new game in town. Interim Supt. Martha Witham cautioned members, especially those of the finance subcommittee, that they would experience “sticker shock” as they developed a bottom line for the budget of the eight-town unit. “I’m estimating that the budget comes in around $25 million,” she said.
Witham said the law requires board members to accept compensation and “this is your one chance to set this.” However, she added, “what you do with it is your business.”
As for mileage reimbursement, Witham said, “The law doesn’t say you can’t ask for mileage. But if you don’t want to get paid for it, don’t submit it.”
Whitefield’s three members and Alna’s two voted against the motion, which covers only twice-monthly board meetings and not the committee meetings interspersed between those of the entire board.
Directors meet at the centrally located Whitefield School twice a month, driving from as far away as Westport Island to the south and Palermo to the north.
Simeon Blake Brown, of Palermo, commented, “The superintendents make good money, teachers make money because of the responsibility they carry. I don’t feel $25 is outlandish” for the kind of responsibility the board carries.
The mileage reimbursement rate was set at the state rate (about 55 cents a mile). Per meeting, travel costs would be in the $300-375 range and compensation $500.
Gerry Nault, of Windsor, made the motion for $25 compensation, saying a vote for $10 per meeting, “saddles you with $10 for life. If you tried to get more, you won’t.”
After the meeting Cote, who is Dresden school superintendent, said he believes the question can be revisited at the official RSU startup on July 1. He said, “That’s how we’re doing it in RSU 2,” the unit to which Dresden, Richmond and two other systems belong.
Several SVRSU directors pointed out they didn’t choose to sit on the board for money. Somerville’s Eric Peaslee replied, “Nothing says you can’t donate the money back to the school for the library” or other programs.
Some schools that now belong to the RSU have been paying local members all along. Wiscasset’s board members receive $1250 a year and the board chair receives $1700. In Westport Island, members receive $136.33 and the chair $217.30. Alna members are paid $155 and the chair receives $206. Palermo board members receive $25 a meeting.
Concerning a question as to whether board directors have to be present to be part of the meeting, School Union 132 Supt. Francis Boynton said, “You may listen by phone but you have to physically be here to vote. That’s what the attorneys have said.”
Morin wondered about audience members who might wish to speak at the end of the meeting, after discussion of the various topics. Shawn Carlson, of Wiscasset, agreed. He said he doubted anyone would be willing to comment on an agenda item before the board had discussed the issue.
Chairman Lester Sheaffer said, “We’ve been through this. We don’t have to let the audience comment at all. The meetings are to allow the board to do the business of the board.”
Brown stated that the chair of Palermo’s school meeting “has the authority and the ability to recognize anybody in the room at any time. If we get sidetracked, the chair can cut (comment) off.” He also noted that the three superintendents who regularly attend the SVRSU meetings “are really nothing but members of the public,” yet the chairman routinely recognizes them whenever they have something to say. “So we’ve already set the precedent of going through the chair,” Brown said.
Witham advised developing a policy. In the meantime, she said, it would be the chairman’s call.
When the same issue was brought up at Whitefield’s local board meeting last year, Supt. Boynton said attorneys had advised that the public comment period be set close to the beginning.
The board hesitated about approving clerical help without a dollar figure attached.
Union 133 Supt. Greg Potter suggested a half-time clerical worker for Witham. It was recommended that Witham bring to the Feb. 26 meeting a rate of pay and the approximate number of hours she would need support staff help.
Richard DeVries, of Westport Island, said half his constituents “don’t have the Internet.”
Holm suggested making 20 copies and “posting them in your popular public venues.”
A distinction between “communication” and “publicity” was attempted. Witham said that the superintendent is spokesperson for the board. “Connection to the media is through the superintendent,” she added, and there are already parameters in place governing that type of communication.
Morin said, “If I can’t communicate with my constituents, I need to know what the parameters are.”
Sixteen of the 20 directors approved establishing a publicity committee that will create a plan to communicate with the public.
Birmingham said March 20 is the closing date for applications and during the week of March 30, committee members will “review applications and select candidates we think are worthy of an interview.”
Carlson added, “Our goal is to outline an entire process,” including whether there will be public input.
The next full board meeting will be Thurs., Feb. 26 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Whitefield School gym.
