Dear RSU 12 Community,

As we begin the budget development process for the upcoming fiscal year, I want to discuss the uncertainty surrounding federal education funding because this critical issue could meaningfully affect our schools and our local taxpayers.

RSU 12 annually obtains roughly $1.5 million in federal grants to implement and strengthen necessary programs and services for students. These funds are vital for education. Many resources are frequently stretched relatively thin in our rural district. A number of these grants pay for programs we must provide. If federal dollars are cut or gone, local taxpayers pick up most of the costs.

Our district's proactive search for federal funding and lower socio-economic rural status allows qualification for several key grants. This is how federal dollars currently support RSU 12:

• $441,971 supports literacy programs for disadvantaged students and helps fund teachers and educational technicians.

• Academic support is provided for struggling students during the summer months. It amounts to $33,125.

• $64,951 for funding additional teachers to achieve reduced class sizes.

• $42,419 – Supports professional development and other resources for meeting the special needs requirements of rural schools.

• Services and staffing for all students with disabilities are provided with $483,125.

• $14,022 supports early childhood special education services.

• $147,388 guarantees students have access to nutritious meals.

• A total of $92,698 in funds supports social work services along with the strengthening of student well-being.

• $105,465 supports the upkeep of rural technology networks.

Our students directly benefit from these grants, which pay for positions, programs, and services. If there were a large cut or reduction in this money, our district would have to make tough choices to keep these programs going.

At this time, what will happen to federal education funding in Fiscal Year 2026 is unclear. The current Trump administration has a vision to restructure or eliminate the Department of Education and plans to move funding decisions to individual states and/or create voucher programs. Some have described this as a federal education funding "reset," focusing on reducing or consolidating programs wherever possible. Many districts, including ours, rely on these funds to maintain services for all students, even though some hope this will cut waste and provide greater local control.

Because many of these grants have been flat-funded since 2010, they have not kept pace with rising costs. Local taxpayers in RSU 12 would likely have a greater financial burden because the district would likely need to pay for costs if federal funds are reduced or stopped.

As we diligently work on the FY 2026 budget in this chaotic budgeting climate, we need to thoroughly consider the possible loss of an important portion of these revenues. Our commitment is to make good financial choices as we keep giving our students the best education we can. We aim to be completely forthright regarding each and every looming difficulty.

We will vigilantly monitor developments and strongly advocate for the needs of our students at the state and federal levels. In the meantime, we encourage community members to stay informed and engaged. Because federal funding for education affects all schools, students and taxpayers, it is not a simple policy issue.

As a community, we can work together to guarantee that our students continue to receive the high-quality education they deserve, even though we cannot control changes at the federal level. Your continuing support of RSU 12 is deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

Howard Tuttle

Superintendent, RSU 12

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Presentations

The Superintendent and the Finance Committee will present information about the proposed budget on the following dates and times. We strongly encourage you to attend one of these meetings to learn more about the proposed FY 2026 budget.

• Westport Island -  3/24 6 pm @ Town Office

• Whitefield - 3/11 6 pm @ Fire Station

• Somerville - 3/19 6 pm @ Town Office

• Chelsea - 3/12 6 pm @ Town Office

• Windsor - 3/25 6 pm @ Town Office

• Alna - 4/24 6 pm @ Town Office 

• Palermo - 4/3 6 pm @ Town Office

• District Budget Meeting - Chelsea Elementary School, 5/21 6:30 pm

Representatives from RSU 12 attended the Maine Department of Education’s Winter Wellness Summit alongside representatives from other Maine school districts, adult education, local colleges, and community agencies.  During the summit, attendees learned about ways to support staff and student wellness to support learning and achievement.  There was an opportunity to connect with community resources and to create action steps for district and school wellness teams to carry out upon return to school.  Attendees left with practical ideas for supporting staff and student wellness and resilience.

The winter testing window closed in the middle of February.  Students took NWEA tests in Reading and Math to help inform instruction and identify any areas for intervention and support.  The final testing window for this school year will be in May.

Several of our schools participated in the MLTI Maine Winter Classic. This event provided an interactive game-based learning experience for students where they “travel” around the state on a virtual game board, completing a variety of tasks, earning tokens and learning about topics such as computer science, digital citizenship, digital design, and gamification. In addition to RSU 12 students, thousands of students and educators across Maine participated. 

March can be a long month, so we’re trying to put in some fun activities throughout the month for both staff and students. For grades 3-6, we have a planetarium coming next week where students will get to enjoy an hour-long show and experience Science in a different interactive way. We’re hoping for some more springlike weather as the warmer temperatures gave everyone a touch of spring fever lately after such a cold February. 

March also brings Parent Teacher Conferences. We will have ours on Tuesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 20. Notices went out to parents this week and we hope to see a good turnout. Spring conferences are a good way to talk about where kids are at and start thinking about how to transition to next year. For students in 8th grade, they are finishing up with making their high school decision and filling out their applications to the schools they wish to attend. Both Erskine and Hall-Dale are coming over this week to help students fill out their course registration paperwork so students will know what to expect in the fall.

As March weather is coming in like a lion, we are preparing to complete our second trimester grades, parents teacher conferences, staff inservice day, Palermo Palooza and Beach Day (a fun-filled day for students).    

Palermo staff have continued their  focus on our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports)  and MTSS (Multi-tiers Systems and Supports)  goals of providing academic and behavioral support to students.  They have worked on having an efficient system of referral and providing interventions.  After interventions have been provided,  we analyze our data to determine if the interventions have had an impact on the student.  Our staff work hard to ensure that all students are receiving the support they need to continue to grow academically and behaviorally. 

As the saying goes - March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb!  We are all looking forward to spring weather and the increased hours of daylight!

Over the past week our 8th graders have begun the process of registering for their classes as they transition from elementary to secondary school.  Members of the staff from the high schools that a majority of Whitefield students attend have come to school to assist our 8th graders in making the choices that will guide the initiation of the high school experience.  While these choices are not irreversible, the choice does set a pattern that will, hopefully, lead our learners to a successful path, opening doors for many options when they complete their high school education.  As you can imagine,  this time in an 8th grader’s life is a mix of challenges and excitement.  Teaching, counseling and support staff assist both students and parents in these major decisions with the learners’ goals being the prime driver of the chosen  directions.  Over the course of the 8th grade year, our Student Support Specialist, Meagan Bowdoin, has brought our students to visit area high schools and works with all students in the process of choosing both a school and a program that has their parents’ support and is a reflection of the long term goals of the learners.   The focus, when entering high school, is to leave open as many options possible when you conclude your secondary educational program.  Be it entering a post-secondary educational program, entering a branch of the military or joining the workforce; a successful high school program can provide you with access to these varied options.  While no one option is perfect for everyone, careful planning and consideration of an individual’s interests offers the best chance for a positive springboard to adult life.  This is what we hope is the end result for all of our learners and the process that our 8th graders are going through right now is a vital cog in creating the desired results for all.  Yes, challenging in many ways but also tremendously exciting.

February was an eventful month at Windsor School.  We had an ongoing fundraiser for a family in our community dealing with childhood cancer.  Students and staff were encouraged to wear “Hats on for Owen” all month, with all proceeds going to the family.  In addition, a Windsor parent collaborated with the school to ensure that everyone in the school; students and all staff, had a Team Owen shirt.  The day he came back to school we all gathered in the gym to welcome him back.  Every one of our students is precious, and our community is amazing.

We had a fun Spirit Week to celebrate our boys and girls basketball teams both heading to the Sheepscot Valley Athletic Conference Championships.  

Our eighth graders have started all of the rites of passage that happen before high school, such as visiting area high schools, taking pictures for the superlatives in the yearbook, and fundraising for their class trip.  We are exceptionally proud of this year’s eighth grade, as they have demonstrated exemplary leadership, academic achievement, and behavior throughout their years at Windsor School.  

The kindergarteners were ready to start NWEA testing this winter, something the teachers help them with once they are able to navigate their Chrome Books.  The NWEA gives the teachers valuable information about students’ reading and math achievement, understanding, and needs, and helps us to identify students who may require additional support.  

RSU 12 serves the towns of Alna, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Westport Island, Whitefield, and Windsor.

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