The proposed $54.3 million School Administrative District 6 budget is now in the hands of voters in the five towns that comprise the district.
Before going to a budget validation referendum on June 8, the spending plan will be voted on in a district meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 27, in the gym at Bonny Eagle High School, 700 Saco Road, Standish.
“Any registered voter in Buxton, Hollis, Limington, Standish and Frye Island can vote at the district budget meeting,” said Trevor Hustus, chairman of the district’s board of directors, on Tuesday.
The proposed $54.3 million budget is up $1 million, or 1.89%, from $53.3 million for the present fiscal year.
The budget has been endorsed by the Budget Advisory Committee and adopted by the district’s board of directors. Superintendent Paul Penna is urging residents to approve the budget as well.
“Our children are the future, and your support for education is an investment in our children and our economy,” Penna said in his budget booklet posted online.
Salaries and benefits add up to $42.4 million, representing 78% of the total spending plan.
Meanwhile, the state subsidy to the district is expected to drop $130,829 from $21.8 million to $21.7 million.
“I find most impressive about this budget is the fact it keeps the impact of an increase to the taxpayer low, even in the face of declining state revenue and rising costs,” Hustus said.
The state’s allocation accounts for 41.6% of the total budget and the local assessment is 55.3%, according to information in Penna’s budget message.
The local amount to be raised from taxpayers in member towns will be $28.9 million, up from $27.9 million.
Local amounts assessed to towns are: Standish, $11,096,929, representing 37.79%; Buxton, $8,237,198, 28.05%; Hollis, $4,949,030, 16.85%; Limington, $3,477,428, 11.855%; and Frye Island, $1,602,844, 5.46%.
The district enrollment has declined by 713 students from 4,132 in the 2006-2007 school year to 3,419 this year, representing a 17.25% drop. At the same time, the number of teachers has also dropped from the equivalent of 265 full-time positions to 231.
Most staff reductions in recent years have been caused by attrition, according to Penna.
“However, that was not possible this year, and we were fortunate to have had federal COVID-19 funds to temporarily allow us to retain much-needed staff positions,” Penna wrote.
The entire budget presentation and Penna’s message can be viewed by visiting MSAD 6 Central Office on Facebook.
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