HOULTON, Maine — RSU 29 finally has an approved school budget, just five days before the start of the school year.
By just 17 votes, the district’s $12.75 million budget was approved at the polls last Wednesday. The final vote was 304 in favor, 287 opposed. There are about 5,125 registered voters in the district, so only 11.5 percent cast ballots.
“I am relieved as it has been a long process,” Superintendent Mike Hammer said.
RSU 29 is comprised of Hammond, Houlton, Littleton and Monticello. Hammond voters unanimously approved the budget 13 in favor and none opposed. Houlton voters OK’d the budget, but at a much closer margin, 243 in favor and 178 opposed.
The communities of Littleton and Monticello both voted down the spending plan — 26 in favor, 46 opposed in Littleton and 22 in favor and 63 opposed in Monticello.
Hammer expressed trepidation that the vote signals a greater fear in the district.
“I am concerned that we have a divided district right now,” he said. “I feel for the citizens of Monticello in losing their school; however we are in difficult times. It (the vote) was too close. I would rather have seen large a turnout in favor of the budget as a statement that the communities believe in the education we provide for their students.”
The close vote did not surprise school board chairman Fred Grant.
“I’m not surprised that it was close, this has been a very challenging budget season,” Grant said. “I’m glad we were able to have a budget pass that allowed the mil rate to remain steady, while at the same time keeping all of the state funding available to the district.”
Last Wednesday’s vote was the third time residents in the district were asked to weigh-in on the spending plan. On June 10, residents rejected the original $12.9 million spending plan, 318-450. The board shaved about $150,927 from the budget, but that plan failed 123-138 on July 15.
The board opted to send the exact same budget back to the voters last Wednesday. The total budget figure is $12,751,396, an increase of $72,138. Last year’s spending plan was $12,679,258.
RSU 29 will receive $9,240,465 from the state next year, which is an increase of $423,224 over the previous year. The required local share, which is the amount the district must raise to receive those state funds is $3,192,008 (an increase of $84,164).
The new fiscal year began July 1. There are about 1,300 students in the district. According to the most recent report from the Maine Department of Education, RSU 29’s per pupil cost for education is $8,236. The state average is $10,021.
