Prior to the first budget workshop of 2022, the School Board unanimously approved the adoption of new budget goals for fiscal year 2023 during a special business meeting on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.  The approved goals strive to create a Cape Elizabeth School Department budget that:

1.    Meets the academic, social-emotional, and health needs of all students.

2.    Supports recruitment and retention of high-quality personnel.

3.    Supports appropriate and on-going building maintenance and repair.

4.    Supports the advancement of instructional skills of our staff.

5.    Reflects a careful consideration of the effectiveness and efficiency of each line item and position.

The first budget workshop, which directly followed the special business meeting, consisted of an Original Request Budget Presentation by the District Leadership Team: Cape Elizabeth High School Principal John Springer, Cape Elizabeth Middle School Principal Troy Eastman, Pond Cove Elementary School Principal Jason Manjourides, Director of Special Services Del Peavey, Assistant Superintendent Michelle McClellan, Director of Athletics Jeff Thoreck, Director of Nutrition Peter Esposito, Educational Technology Director Troy Eastman, Director of Facilities David Bagdasarian, Director of Transportation Chris Storer, and Superintendent Chris Record.  Each department head began with an evaluation of any new positions or services included in the FY2022 budget and a rationale for maintaining or eliminating it from the FY2023 budget. This was followed by the explanation and justification for any new positions or services being included in each department head's original budget request for FY2023.  

The School Board will have their first opportunity to begin asking the District Leadership Team questions about their budget requests at the next budget workshop on Tuesday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. to be held at the Cape Elizabeth High School Library.  Through the question and answering process which typically takes place over four or more workshops, the School Board will evaluate the entire FY2023 budget with the newly approved goals serving as the criterion.  From there, after state subsidy amounts and Maine Benefit Trust insurance increases are known, the School Board will continue to make adjustments before delivering the budget to the Town Council on Friday, April 15.  Per Town Charter the School Board budget is due to the Town Manager at least 75 days before the start of the next budget year - July 1, 2022.

All budget workshop materials, video recordings, and schedules are available on the Town Budget webpage.