MSAD #51 District Newsletter - April 27, 2026

From the Superintendent

I hope your family was able to spend some time together during last week's break. 

This is the first in a multi-part series about the district's budget for the 2026-27 school year. On April 15, the Board approved the draft budget and sent it forward for voter consideration at the upcoming district budget meeting on May 7. All registered voters in Cumberland and North Yarmouth are invited to attend and vote at this meeting, which ultimately sets the budget that the community will consider at the polls on June 9. The 26-27 budget includes, among others:

• $1.16 million in adjustments (mostly reductions) to my initial budget proposal, with a total budget increase of 5.46% over the current year's budget. With previously voter-approved debt backed out, the 26-27 operating budget increase is 4.22%.
• 2 additional classroom/content Teachers at GMS 6-8 due to enrollment and to assist with teaming structures.
• 1 additional Educational Technician for special education services (IEP requirement).
• Increasing a part-time School Counselor to full-time at GMS 6-8 due to enrollment and student needs.
• New Assistant Principal for grades PK-5 due to enrollment and the upcoming One Campus PK-8 grade configuration shift. The new AP will be reassigned to MIW (grades 2-4) in 2027-28.
• Pre-K Coordinator to assist with a new state mandate requiring local school districts to provide special services for all 3 and 4 year olds with IEPs.
• For more information:FY 27 Budget Summary Presentation (4.15.26)

As shown below, it should be noted that expenditures earmarked directly to the classroom account for 73.47% of the total budget, significantly higher than the state average of 69.24%. Despite bringing on a large portion of debt service related to the One Campus project, considerable effort was made to ensure that budget funds support direct services for students.

Next week's focus will be connecting the dots between the expenditure side of the budget to estimated tax calculations. 

Regards,  
Jeff Porter

Student Enrichment at GHS: Planted yellow tulip bulbs and spring clean up.

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

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All meetings will take place at 6:00 pm in the Gyger Room at Greely High School.  For those of you unfamiliar with that room, the Gyger Room can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).     

May 7- District Budget Meeting

Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)

Committee meetings this week:
May 1- Facilities Committee
May 1 - Finance Committee

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Board of Directors Meeting Videos

One Campus Project Information

For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/building_project

Progress!

Community Partners

Our Community Partners are strong supporters of various areas of the school.  Without them, our students would not have many of the wonderful opportunities and experiences that they receive.

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Free Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Help out with Staff Appreciation Week!

Community Notices

Community Notices are not affiliated with MSAD #51.  Please contact the organization directly with any questions. Here is a full listing of Community Notices.

Celebrate over 30 years of the Maine and Aomori, Japan sister state relationship

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Greely Center for the Arts Events

If you would like something included in our weekly newsletter, please send a brief write up with title along with a JPEG or PNG image of your flyer (if applicable) to Melissa Porter for approval. The deadline each week is Wednesday. Any requests received after Wednesday will be reviewed for possible submission in the following week's newsletter. All approved submissions will be posted on the district's website.

Not all items in this email are MSAD #51 sponsored programs. If you need more information, please contact the group or organization that is sponsoring the event.