OXFORD – Voters passed all 11 questions on the SAD 17 referendum Tuesday night to set a $29.83 million budget for the 2003-04 school year.

The basic budget represents a $705,922 increase, or 2.42 percent, more than the 2002-03 budget. It includes buying one conventional bus and lease/purchase of three other buses and $50,000 on four capital improvement projects. The state refunds the lease/purchase cost every two years.

Superintendent Mark Eastman said the budget was designed to continue current programming but has no new initiatives other than those required by federal or state law.

“We worked hard on the budget,” he said. “People recognized that, and it is gratifying. I was really pleased with the West Paris vote and the support of our schools by our citizens.”

Paris was the only town not to pass Question No. 1. The vote was 121-68.

Eastman said the question is one of the most confusing. It is the basic operational cost for entire budget.

Overall, the budget questions passed with an average of 69.24 percent yes votes.

“Sometimes I think with a light turnout the numbers can be closer, but this margin is pretty healthy,” Eastman said.

Eastman said to keep the budget at a 2.4 percent increase cuts were made in supplies, textbooks and equipment, repair and maintenance projects, athletic supplies and equipment, 1.5 teaching positions and some stipend positions and administration funds.

Fixed costs increased $987,000.

As part of the SAD 17 budget, the Region 11 technical school budget increased 1.01 percent to $3,393,609 in total revenues and had a net increase of $66,771, or 3.04 percent for operations.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com

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