NEW SWEDEN, Maine — New Sweden’s share of the school budget was made official after members of the town voted it forward Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Residents narrowly voted to close New Sweden Consolidated School during a June election, which contributed to the budget’s relatively late final draft date of Aug. 3.
With the school closed, residents no longer have to fund technical education, student and staff support, school administration, facilities maintenance, or expend money for debt services and other commitments. They will, however, need to pay for tuition, buses and special education, as children in the area will be bused to Woodland Consolidated School for the 2017-18 school year, which begins next Wednesday.
Compared to last year’s budget, residents will save more than $150,000 in taxes. Increases in busing and tuition will be offset by significant decreases due to the absence of teacher salaries and building maintenance.
All in all, the 2016-17 budget was nearly $1 million, at $929,085, while this year’s budget is lower at $777,783, a figure which includes a state contribution as well as $125,000 rolled over from last year’s budget.
In addition to passing the budget, townsfolk also voted to let New Sweden’s Board of Selectmen determine the fate of the New Sweden Consolidated School, built in 1994. The article in the meeting warrant indicates that selectmen would be allowed to “sell and dispose” of the building on “terms as they deem advisable” and “in the best interest of the town.”
While members of the audience had numerous questions about the aforementioned article, Selectman Sven Bonderson stated that if the town does find a potential buyer, the town would have to hold another meeting and seek voter approval before the deal is finalized. Bonderson also suggested that any residents concerned about the future of the school attend New Sweden’s regularly scheduled selectmen meetings to learn more about the fate of the building.
