Regional School Unit 5 residents added spending Wednesday night to a proposed $29,340,203 RSU 5 budget for 2015-2016, bringing the total package to $29,407,203, which is a 7.77 percent overall spending increase from this year.
More than 200 residents of Freeport, Durham and Pownal attended the annual town meeting-style RSU 5 budget meeting at Freeport High School, and voted on all 23 budget items. The result was a $150,000 addition to the $29,340,203 figure presented to residents.
The board earlier in May had cut $500,000 from the original proposal, which would have meant a 9.15 percent increase.
A 7.77 percent overall spending increase would equal 8.58 percent in Pownal, or a tax rate addition of $2.96 per $1,000 of valuation. Durham would get an 8.71 percent tax increase for education, which would add $1.45 per $1,000 to the tax rate. In Freeport, the figures are 6.47 percent and $1.02 per $1,000 on the tax rate.
Next, residents of Freeport, Durham and Pownal will vote on the total package of $29,490,203 on Tuesday, June 9, at polling places in their respective towns. Unlike the May 27 meeting, during which voters acted on 23 budget articles, the June 9 vote is on the bottom line only.
School board Chairman Nelson Larkins of Freeport explained the $150,000 addition, which was driven by residents.
“The request was for $80,000 in discretionary funds to be used at Freeport High School for proficiency-based education work and $70,000 for another first-grade teacher at Morse Street School to reduce class sizes,” Larkins said Thursday. “These were basically items the board had cut, but administration had deemed reasonable as additional costs.”
Larkins said he hopes people can understand the need for the spending increase.
“I personally hope voters understand we are trying to balance rising costs, while improving our kids’ educations and limiting tax increases. I feel all three communities should vote yes for the budget on June 9.”
The budget referendum is the first since Freeport residents voted against withdrawal from RSU 5 last November, and represents a test of unity within the district. Only once since RSU 5 was formed in 2009 has Durham or Pownal (it was Durham) voted in favor of a budget. In each case, Freeport voters have voted strongly for the budget, swaying the total vote their way.
The budget meeting mirrored that dichotomy. John Egan of Freeport proposed an amendment to article 6 – $12,212,716 for regular instruction. Egan said that $80,000 should be added to the article, for discretionary spending toward the new proficiency-based diplomas that take effect next year at Freeport High School. Some of that money would be used for professional development.
Several Freeport residents followed Egan. Not all agreed with his amendment, but most did. Durham residents, however, complained that they could not afford the tax increases each year with RSU 5 budget hikes.
When moderator Gary Wood called for a vote, following lengthy debate on article 6, Egan’s amendment passed by about a 3-2 margin, according to a show of hands.
A second amendment, proposed by Shana Jacques of Freeport, added the teacher to Morse Street School.
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