SAD 6 budget up, Buxton share drops

Buxton taxpayers got good news last week when SAD 6 presented its proposed budget.

Buxton’s share of the SAD 6 budget is dropping although the school budget is $37.2 million, up from last year’s $35.6 million or a 4.5 percent increase. According to SAD 6 figures, the Buxton share of the budget will be $4.7 million, $247,000 less than last year.

Selectman Bob Libby was smiling following the meeting on Wednesday. “This will help us out.” Libby said.

Libby said selectmen had heard about the decrease in a recent visit with SAD 6 school directors. “We were happy,” Libby said.

Voters in SAD 6 communities will decide on the school budget in a district wide referendum on Tuesday, June 13.

Buxton shoulders 27.7 percent of the SAD 6 budget this year, down from 28.5 percent last year. Libby said the state determines what percentage each of the five SAD 6 towns pays based on state valuation figures. Libby said SAD 6 got more money for its budget this year, accounting for the decrease in Buxton’s share. Last year, SAD 6 received $17.3 million from the state.

But this year, SAD 6 expects $19.1 million, or 10 percent more in state revenue. Additionally, the district has $1 million carried over from last year, besides $150,000 in other revenue.

The five towns – Buxton, Frye Island, Hollis, Limington and Standish – will provide $17 million, a reduction of approximately $389,000 from last year.

The SAD 6 budget is up $1.6 million or 4.56 percent from last year. Superintendent Suzanne Lukas attributed the increase to rising costs of fuel, energy and insurances. She expected diesel fuel to jump up 50 cents a gallon for the SAD 6 fleet of more than 60 school buses. “We have worked hard to put together a budget that is reasonable,” Lukas said.

The district expected the cost of gasoline, diesel and propane to jump up $213,000 over last year and electricity to increase by more than $46,000. The district is budgeting $1.8 million for utilities, up from $1.7 million or a 9 percent increase.

Carol Weeks, assistant superintendent, said most increases were due to higher costs for essentials such as liability and health insurances along with other benefits and contracted salary increases.

Salaries and benefits represent $27.2 million, up 3.45 percent from last year’s $26.3 million. Salary increases account for more than $600,000.

Lukas said the budget is large but she was pleased that more money is expected from the state. The state will pay 51percent of the district’s costs this year with the five towns paying 45 percent.

Of the five SAD 6 towns, Standish is responsible for 41.3 percent of the total local share. Standish and Buxton are followed by Hollis, 15.6 percent; Limington, 10.4 percent; and Frye Island 4.8 percent.

Shawn Cram of Hollis, vice chairman of the SAD 6 board of directors and chair of the budget committee, said the proposed budget was unanimously passed by the full board. “We feel we have a tight budget,” Cram said.

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