From the Superintendent
I hope your family enjoyed some time together during the April break. With just over 7 weeks left in the 2024-25 school year, this is always the busiest (and most exciting) stretch of the school year.
One of the hallmarks of the spring season is the public approval process for the upcoming school year's budget. On April 17, the Board of Directors approved the Proposed FY 26 Budget. This is the first in a six-part series about the district budget to help communicate the budgeting process; how priorities are determined; unpacking how the budget is organized; how the budget impacts the classroom; implications for taxpayers; and historical and regional comparisons.
The budgeting process is straightforward in the sense that it follows prescribed steps in building a budget for the community to consider. There are (as expected) many competing interests, priorities, and viewpoints about how we allocate financial resources in order to support and maintain the high-performing school district that people have come to expect. This process helps us balance these varied interests in order to produce a final proposal that has undergone multiple layers of dissection and consideration.
The budgeting process starts in early November with the Leadership Team (school and district administrators) building school and department budgets with their respective staff groups. In January, the Finance Director and I confer with each administrator individually to review their budget requests, followed by several meetings with the Board's Finance Committee to help determine priorities moving forward. From there, the proposed new budget is prepared based on a number of factors, including state subsidy and other anticipated revenues, staff health insurance changes, contractual salaries and benefits, estimated operational costs, and previously vetted priorities.
In early March I publicly submit and present the superintendent's draft budget to the Board, to which the Board deliberates for about six weeks before approving the budget in mid-April, either as proposed or with adjustments and modifications. As we are a school administrative district (independent school unit separate from the towns), state law requires that a public meeting be held for voters to approve the budget (vote #1), after which it is sent to the ballot box for final voter approval (vote #2) in early June. This year's district budget meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8 @ 7:00 PM in the Greely Center for the Arts. All voters in both towns of the SAD are invited to attend and vote.
Next week I'll focus on how budget priorities are determined. For more information: budget information page.
Regards,
Jeff Porter
Dear Coach Andreasen,
I want to congratulate you on your recent national award and subsequent recognition at the State House by Rep. Annie Graham.
You truly exemplify the finest qualities in athletic coaching, and your student athletes significantly benefit from your positive and influential leadership, skills, attitude, and compassion. On behalf of MSAD #51 and the Board of Directors, thank you for your expert guidance of the boys soccer team over your lengthy coaching tenure. We are all very proud of you and are truly fortunate that you have shared your talents with our students over all these years. You are a class act. Thank you.
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Art shows at MSAD #51
Please join us in honoring and celebrating GHS student artists for their annual student art show next Wednesday, May 7th in the Greely Center for the Arts Gallery from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. The exhibition will showcase artwork from all students enrolled in an art course this school year. We hope to see you there!
Superintendent's Report
Here is the latest Superintendent's Report. 
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MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information
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 8 - District Budget Meeting | Greely Center for the Arts at 7:00 PM
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos
Budget Information 2025-26
Detailed budget information can be found on the District's website at: https://www.msad51.org/
One Campus Project Information
For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/
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.
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.
Mental Health Matters 5K
A Spring Night of Fun!
Girl Scouts of Maine: Connect. Explore. Grow
Useful Links
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.
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