LIVERMORE FALLS – The towns will see no tax rate increase in 2004-05 due to school budgets, SAD 36 Superintendent Terry Despres told his board Monday night.

He will carry that message to Livermore and Livermore Falls officials in person when they meet jointly with the directors on May 6.

Last year the district was able to drop the amount needed from Livermore and Livermore Falls from $14.61 to $13.98 per $1,000 valuation, but this year the district is seeking no increase.

Keeping that promise will be contingent on the vote taken by the board Thursday night when it reviews his proposed budget line by line.

And the superintendent had more good news for the towns as he reviewed LD 1924, “An act to reduce the cost of local government through increased state education funding and provide property relief,” which is being considered in the Legislature.

“If this goes through, the towns are guaranteed a decrease in each of the next five years,” Despres said.

Despres explained that LD 1924 contains a provision that ties increased state funding for education with a reduction in property tax.

“As state money increases, local taxes must decrease and annual reviews will be made to verify property tax relief,” he said.

There are parts of the proposed law that the district must address, Despres warned the board. Among them is one that requires foreign language training in kindergarten through grade 12.

Another is special education. “Many of our special education students will not be identified as so; behavioral education will be the most effected,” he explained.

This is a state-wide problem and he predicts a tremendous amount of fallout from the changes, resulting in litigation to test the law.

Directors approved Despres’ plan to get rid of the $150,000 food service debt, one which has accumulated over five or six years.

“I’m a firm believer in paying your bills, it’s time to put this into a clear plan,” he said. His plan is to raise $50,000 each year for three years through a separate item on the annual warrant.

Despres admitted he hated to do it, as that $50,000 could be used for programs. “To be fiscally responsible, this had to be done and we need a clear plan to prevent it from happening again.”

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