Voters turn down RSU 19 loan request | News

NEWPORT, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- There is a lot of number crunching going on in the office of Regional School Unit 19 in Newport to balance the budget without taking out a $3.6 million loan because voters rejected the borrowing plan Tuesday night.

Superintendent Greg Potter said several different programs will have to make spending cuts or eliminate positions. The athletic department is one of the places that will feel these cuts.

The athletic director said there will be no winter J.V. or freshman B level sports teams this season, which could mean as many as 80 kids will not be able to play basketball this year and these cuts could have a lasting impact.

"In the long term that's crippling. In the short term it's devastating. Transportation, we have to figure out how to get our varsity teams to places," Athletic Director Earl Anderson said.

Anderson said part of the cuts include transportation to and from sporting events and some coaches will also be let go.