CAMDEN — Elaine Nutter, superintendent of Maine School Administrative District 28 and the Five Town Community School District, said Monday that the SAD 28 School Board meeting Wednesday, April 16, will be held in the Camden-Rockport Middle School cafeteria at 7 p.m. This is a change, since the majority of the school board meetings are held in the Camden-Rockport Elementary School Atrium.

Included on Wednesday night’s agenda is the subject of outsourcing custodial services, which Nutter said will likely generate a lot of pubic interest.

Craig Ouellette, director of the CRMS jazz band, will also be giving a special performance for the board and anyone who attends the meeting.

“Back when we met at the Strom, the committee for outsourcing reported to the joint boards and we did not make a decision then, but each of the boards took the outsourcing under consideration,” Nutter said. “The CSD board at their next meeting decided against outsourcing for custodians. The SAD tabled that because they wanted an opportunity to go through the budget process. On the SAD side, for whatever reason, there was a difference in terms of the amount of money, as it looked on paper, that could be achieved through outsourcing. The public sentiment at the meeting was decidedly in favor of keeping the custodians and the services that we currently have.”

Nutter said the board had achieved the goals of their budget without having to look at outsourcing custodians. Nutter said she hoped the public understood that the subject of outsourcing was never about dissatisfaction with people and that they are valued members and it was a difficult conversation to have to have, but it was her’s and the board’s responsibility to make sure they were using the public’s resources as best they can.

“Before, we didn’t know if we kept the custodial services as they are, and had to eliminate staffing positions like we did last year, it would be a difficult choice to have to make of course,” said Nutter. “But we determined that keeping the custodial services as they are does not come at the cost of having to eliminate something else.”

Nutter said the board has felt they need to bring the issue to a conclusion and that is what she anticipates will happen Wednesday night.

A decision will be made and it can be “put to bed,” in Nutter’s words.

Nutter said she was hopeful that within the week she would be able to make announcements about two new principals, one for the CRES and one for CRMS. Nutter said they are close to having a signed contract for both positions, and it was her hope to be able to make that news public Wednesday.

Following the meeting, the board plans to go into executive session to negotiate contracts for Megunticook Bus Drivers/Custodians/Food Service Association/MEA/NEA.