DYER BROOK, Maine — Much like the turnouts for other school districts in the area, participation was sparse for the RSU 50 district budget meeting on May 27.
A group of just 15 residents, including board members and town clerks, attended the district budget meeting and spent little time discussing the spending plan. All of the articles were approved as presented, according to Superintendent Jon Porter.
“We couldn’t believe the attendance was so small,” Porter said. “Everything was unanimous with no discussion.”
At $5,689,349, the RSU 50 budget is an increase of $57,176 (0.57 percent) from the previous year. That increase was necessary to cover rises in salaries and benefits due to collective bargaining agreements; a higher minimum wage; and the teacher’s minimum salary going up from $35,000 to $37,500 a year, Porter said.
RSU 50 will receive $2,458,954 in the form of state aid, which is down $226,925 from the current budget. In order to receive those funds, the district must raise $1,515,680 in required local dollars, which is a decrease of $24,764.
Because the total budget is higher than the state’s Essential Programs and Services, the district must raise an extra $1,086,891 in additional local dollars. That amount is up $138,866 from last year.
The district also plans to use $495,000 from its carry-forward account (an increase of $245,000) to help balance the budget.
Based on valuations, Island Falls will be the hardest hit among the seven towns that make up RSU 50. Island Falls residents will pay $897,965, an increase of $66,755. Hersey is the only community to see its share decrease as the town will pay $114,391.
No positions were cut in this budget, Porter said.
“We feel this budget meets the needs of the kids and the programs for our district, while also being fiscally responsible to our local communities and taxpayers,” Porter said. “We understand times are tough and wanted to present a budget that was manageable.”
The budget will now be voted on at the June 15 validation referendum in the communities of Oakfield, Dyer Brook, Island Falls, Hersey, Smyrna, Crystal and Merrill.
