EASTON, ME — Thirty-six Easton residents voted in the Easton School Department’s budget meeting on Thursday, July 16, at Easton Elementary School.
Easton’s 2020-21 budget will be $3.9 million, about a $47,000 increase since last year’s budget. The tax commitment in local property taxes went down about $70,500, from $3.15 million to $3.08 million. Easton’s essential programs and services funding from the state increased by $122,000.
The meeting had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as previous restrictions from Gov. Janet Mills prohibited meetings of 10 or more people. That number was changed to 50 on June 1, allowing the school budget meeting to occur.
Kevin Marquis, who had moderated the Easton town meeting the day before, also moderated the school budget meeting. Residents approved all of the articles on the agenda.
A total of $1.7 million was allocated for regular instruction, $379,000 for student and staff support and $341,000 for special education.
A total of $467,000 was allocated for facilities maintenance, $353,000 for school administration, $280,000 for system administration and $164,000 for transportation and buses
The most significant increase since last year’s budget came in the form of supplies, which increased by nearly $84,000 to make up $305,000 of Easton’s total budget. Salaries and wages saw an almost $55,000 decrease.
Health services also went down $15,000 since last year’s budget. Easton Schools Superintendent Kimberly Hall said the decrease is due to staff changes — a longtime school nurse retired and was replaced by someone with less experience and a lower salary.
Hall said there would be no decrease in the amount spent on health supplies or equipment.
“We will actually be spending significantly more, but the funds will be coming from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding and other federal/state funds that are being released as a result of the pandemic,” Hall said.
