NAPLES – School Administrative District 61’s board of directors voted Thursday to cut a first-grade teacher and start charging nonprofit groups to use its facilities to reduce its proposed budget by $75,000.
The vote marks the third time the board has approved a budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which started July 1.
The latest proposal totals $26.5 million.
Voters from the district, which comprises Bridgton, Casco, Sebago and Naples, twice rejected previous proposals at referendums in May and June.
The third referendum will be Aug. 9.
Changes to the latest proposal still may be made at the district budget meeting on Aug. 2, when there will be a public hearing and town meeting-style vote on the plan. That meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at Lake Region High School.
According to state law, the proposal last approved at a district budget meeting serves as the 2011-2012 budget until voters pass a permanent one.
That means the $26.6 million proposal approved in a town meeting-style vote, but rejected at the June referendum, is considered the district’s budget for now.
About 40 people, including district administrators, attended the three-hour board meeting Thursday at Lake Region Middle School.
The board considered making cuts to transportation, maintenance and technology, before settling on the teaching position and free use of facilities.
The first-grade teacher position was eliminated from Stevens Brook Elementary School in Bridgton, for a savings of $40,000. Interim Superintendent Kathleen Beecher said the cut would increase class sizes at that school from about 15 to about 19.
By eliminating the free use of school facilities for groups such as an intramural basketball club, the Girl Scouts and a childcare program, the district would save $35,000 in maintenance and supplies.
The last budget proposal was rejected by 16 votes. Beecher said she felt that meant the district shouldn’t make extreme cuts.
Some board members, however, felt the $75,000 reduction made Thursday would not be enough to change the minds of voters.
Casco residents in June rejected the budget by the largest margin, 44 votes.
Sebago residents voted 78-66 against the budget. Bridgton residents approved it by 39 votes and Naples residents approved it by one vote.
Staff Writer Leslie Bridgers can be contacted at 791-6364 or at lbridgers@mainetoday.com
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