Third referendum on school spending is Sept. 13, 2016
The meeting was brief. A small audience attended, smallest one yet actually. The SAD 1 school district’s call for more public input fell on deaf ears and in a few short moments Wednesday evening a third budget was agreed upon. One that voters will hopefully pass because according to the marquee outside the high school, class is already back in session.
“This (budget) is way down from what it was when we started,” Superintendent Brian Carpenter said solemnly as he addressed the board.
A vote was had with the majority of board members agreeing to adopt the proposed budget.
“This budget respects the need to keep taxes low and not diminish the quality of education,” Clint Deschene, assistant superintendent, said. “In the long-term the district is committed to long-term sustainability, which means balancing the needs of taxes while maintaining a quality education that is an asset to the district.”
The third proposed budget which voters will have a final say on next month stands at a total of $24,591,858 and shows a total average municipal year percent change of .91 percent for all five communities in the district. Castle Hill’s increase comes in at 1.70 percent, Chapman 1.99 percent, Mapleton 1.80 percent, Presque Isle .60 percent, and Westfield 1.46 percent.
The previous budget which voters turned down came July 21 in at $24.8 million. The initial 2016-17 spending package, turned down in June, would have raised the district’s annual tax assessment by 9 percent over 2015-16 levels and adopted a full-day kindergarten this fall.
“I feel that prolonging this budget process beyond a third attempt will not allow the time needed to take the first step with next year’s budget,” he said. “If it doesn’t pass of course we will work to present another budget but at a less than 1 percent increase and clear commitment of the district to review costs it is time to start on next year’s budget and approve the third proposed budget.”
It was pointed out during the Aug. 15 workshop at the middle school that there’s a cost to every vote. Prices on public services vary depending on the circumstances like renting spaces and paying clerks, and Presque Isle’s already charged close to $2,000 throughout this budget process, according to the city office. It was estimated by the board that each vote came at the price of over $7,000 when you add up all five communities in the district.
A third vote will take place on September 13 in the district communities.
