BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- It was once again budget time for the many schools that make up the University of Maine system as its board of trustees decided on a plan to manage roughly half a billion dollars for the system next year.
Directors took public comment on the proposed budget late Monday morning in Bangor.
Unionized teachers in attendence said that their biggest concern is that they still don't have a contract with the board. Faculty in the system has been working without one since last July. Many teachers also have not received any kind of pay increase since 2009.
Meanwhile it was found a few months ago that many administrators at U. Maine were getting bumps in pay. The system awarded $7 million dollars in pay raises over the last seven years and all while school budgets were tight.
James Page, who is the imcoming chancellor for the U. Maine system, pulled the plug on raises going into this year. He says when it comes to working a contract out with faculty, it all will come down to better communication.
"This is not a sustainable model," he said, "we have to change the way we approach these matters."
The proposed budget does bring good news for students in the U. Maine system. Officials say it will not bring an increase in tuition rates for next year.
NEWS CENTER