Selectmen press school officials for budget clarity after superintendent no‑show

Selectmen repeatedly flagged the school budget and the superintendent’s absence as a governance concern during the December 19 meeting.

On the posted agenda the superintendent, Dan Ross, was scheduled to present a school update and budget issues but did not attend and was not reported to have rescheduled. TM Billings told the board she had no idea why he missed the meeting and said he had been in Deer Isle on related budget matters. Board members expressed concern that the district had not reached out to the town to explain a late absence and emphasized the need for clear communication during an active budget year.

At a later meeting Supt. Hurvitt (interim district superintendent) presented a budget figure of approximately $6.5 million and described steps taken to use carryover and merge positions to contain costs; the district planned a public hearing and a June budget vote. The town manager and Selectmen asked for copies of final budgets as the boards completed the town’s warrant and line‑item planning.

Next steps: The school district was to deliver final budget documents to the town ahead of the hearing and town staff will continue monitoring potential budget shortfalls and capital maintenance needs the transcript tied to buildings.