AOS 98 approves $1,423,384 budget
The Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 school board approved the 2022-2023 cost-sharing plan and $1,423,384 budget Dec. 6. Board Chair John Bertolet of Boothbay said changes in cost-sharing will only change slightly despite new 2020 census numbers: Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District, 56.78%; Edgecomb Eddy School, 22.52%; Georgetown Central School, 14.97%; and Southport Central School, 5.73%.
After an executive session which lasted over an hour, the board approved a 4.5% raise for Superintendent of Schools Robert Kahler and 5% increase to the administrative staff line item which includes Director of Special Services Chris Baribeau and his special services staff; an extension to Baribeau's contract until June 30, 2024; a 4.5% salary increase for Kahler over the new contract period extended to June 30, 2024; a $16,151 stipend for AOS 98 Director of Technology Brynne Roseberry; the release of $20,000 in unspent salary negotiations to the undesignated fund balance; and $591,692 assessed to the towns after applying $50,000 in undesignated funds for the $1,423,384 budget.
The board elected Georgetown's Kelly James chair; Boothbay Harbor's Peggy Splaine, vice chair; Edgecomb’s Heather Sinclair, secretary; and reelected Southport's Adam Harkins treasurer. In a brief Education Service Center meeting after the AOS 98 meeting, members elected the same officials as officers of the ESC. Members approved the $782,798 ESC budget and the transfer of those funds to AOS 98.