As the days get shorter, it’s another sign the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas are near. But it’s also a sign another season — budget — is also rapidly approaching for municipal and school officials. In Southport, school principal Lisa Clarke presented her initial projections for the 2019-20 fiscal year. This is Clarke’s second year as Southport Central School principal, and  in year three, she is requesting a new literacy program to serve the entire kindergarten through grade six population.

The school is currently using “Superkids,” a program designed for kindergarten through grade two. Clarke is a teaching principal. She teaches second and third grades. Shawn Gallagher teaches the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Clarke and Gallagher are using their own literacy programs for their respective classes.

On Nov. 5, Clarke told school committee members an expanded literacy program would better align the curriculum with Common Core and other state-mandated learning standards.

“One thing I’m looking to add is an expanded literacy program. Our current one ends at grade 2. I feel we’d be better served with a program with a wide array of abilities and it would do more for our program,” said Clarke.

But she doesn’t expect an expanded literacy program to have a big impact on school spending. Clarke proposed slightly reducing other budget lines to afford the new program. Clarke’s first draft is still a “work in progress” as she awaits final figures for contractual services. School officials plan on completing the first draft during a December workshop when all the budget information is available and district financial officials provide figures for a projected carry-over on the current budget.

An improved Internet system is another item Clarke is hoping for in the next school year. The school has encountered several problems with connectivity this year. Clarke reported the central office is seeking a $6,000 E-rate grant for improving the district’s internet infrastructure.  The federal program provides discounts assisting schools and libraries in obtaining affordable telecommunications and Internet access.  “Our Internet is not good. Several times it has gone off-line for no apparent reason. We need a better system,” she said.

Clarke is also requesting three more iPads. The school received 10 new iPads in this year’s technology budget. The three additional ones will provide students in grades 3-6 with their own iPad. Clarke reported the school retired 10 old iPads this year by giving them to students. The old iPads were out-of-date and no longer could be updated, according to school officials.

In other action, the committee had its first reading of nine updated school policies and will review 15 more at the next meeting. Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 is updating each school's policies regarding state mandates. Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser explained, school committee members would likely be updating policies until the school year’s end. Once the update is complete, the policies would be available on the town’s website.

The committee meets next at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10.