STACYVILLE, Maine — Many taxpayers in the communities that make up RSU 89 will see a decrease in their local assessment following the approval of the district’s 2019-20 budget.
“We are pretty proud of this budget,” said Dawn Pray, superintendent for RSU 89. “We are able to provide effective programs to students, while also being mindful of our fiscal responsibility to our communities.”
At $4,586,399, the district’s proposed budget represents a decrease of $62,257 from the current fiscal plan. The district will receive $2,329,307 in the form of a state subsidy, but in order to receive those funds, the four towns that make up RSU 89 (Patten, Mount Chase, Sherman and Stacyville) must provide $1,819,092 in local contributions.
“The overall budget is down compared to last year, and the assessment to the four towns is either at 0 percent increase (Patten) or a decrease,” Pray said. “We also have developed a strategic plan, which will guide our decisions for the future.”
Patten residents will once again bear the biggest burden of the budget as the town’s share is $589,892, which is the exact same amount as last year’s allocation. Mount Chase’s share will be $385,049, representing a decrease of $69,199, while Sherman’s portion will be $575,647, for a decrease of $41,383. Stacyville’s share will be down $8,445 to $268,503.
The RSU plans to use a carry forward balance of $155,000 to help reduce the burden to taxpayers.
The district serves about 321 students in grades pre-kindergarten to grade 12 and was formed on July 1, 2018, when the towns of Mount Chase, Patten, Sherman and Stacyville withdrew from RSU 50.
Voters can ask questions and cast their ballots on the spending plan at the RSU 89 district budget meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the Katahdin Elementary School.
