STACYVILLE, Maine — The first budget of the newly-formed RSU 89 school district will result in an increase for taxpayers for the 2018-19 school year.
The RSU 89 board approved a $4.6 million budget during a Thursday meeting in Stacyville.
Dawn Pray, who was hired by the district to take over as interim superintendent following the cessation from RSU 50, said Friday that the total proposed budget is $4,673,395, which is an increase to the local taxpayers of $358,331.
Pray also serves as superintendent for the Medway School Department and is assistant superintendent for East Millinocket/Woodville. She takes over for Todd LeRoy, who previously served as RSU 50 superintendent for both Southern Aroostook and Katahdin. LeRoy remained as the superintendent for RSU 50, but will be leaving that post at the end of the school year.
Pray said that the budget increase will be split between the four towns of Stacyville, Patten, Mount Chase and Sherman based on a percentage. Sherman will contribute $622,215, while Mount Chase will put forth $458,094 Patten will contribute $595,160, and Stacyville will add $223,154.
The school anticipates spending $434,101 on student and staff support and $236,620 on system administration. Other anticipated expenditures include $513,276 for facilities and maintenance and $411,517 for transportation and buses.
“The budget supports current programming for students at Katahdin Schools in a hope to start reinvesting into our schools and community,” said Pray. “The board understands that this first year is going to be tough and they will work very hard over the next year to review the programs and budget needs for the future. It is important that we continue to support our schools because we have great kids and and a great staff.”
The towns will have an opportunity to ask questions and vote on the budget Tuesday, June 5, at 6 p.m. at the Katahdin Elementary School. A validation referendum vote will then be on June 12 at the town voting areas in each town.
