Voters in 16 towns in three school districts are scheduled to go to the polls Tuesday to vote on spending plans for education.

Combined, the spending packages tally more than $38 million to serve about 4,700 schoolchildren and some adults through adult education in greater Franklin County.

Voters in the nine towns making up SAD 9 will consider a $21.6 million school spending package. That reflects nearly $21.3 million for school operations for 2004-05, an increase of $95,809 – or less than one-half of 1 percent – over the existing budget. It also includes a $351,567 adult education budget, of which the district will pay $76,600, a $1,409 decrease in the district’s share.

SAD 9 administrators and directors eliminated eight teachers at the elementary/middle school level and two study hall monitor positions, reduced library supply money by $10,000, and eliminated six assistant coaching positions at the high school, among other cuts in the budget voters will consider. SAD 9 serves about 2,654 students.

In SAD 58 in the Kingfield, Phillips area, school directors and administrators are bringing in a proposed $8.85 million spending package to operate schools. That includes $24,600 for adult education and reflects an increase of $177,205, or 2.04 percent, over the existing budget.

School officials reduced an initial $9.14 million budget, which reflected a 5.5 percent increase, down to the $8.85 million that voters will consider.

Among the increases are $41,306 in new debt service for the Phillips school and $4,182 in debt service to connect that school to the town’s water supply. The district is made up of five primary towns and serves about 970 students. A number of students in unorganized territories and Carrabassett Valley send students to SAD 58 schools.

The SAD 36 school system in Livermore Falls and Livermore serves nearly 1,100 students.

Voters in those towns are scheduled to consider a proposed $8.08 million spending plan.

The package, which includes adult education and food services, reflects a $193,243 increase over the existing budget. But school officials were able to keep a flat tax rate for funding education and still sustain programs.

Superintendent Terry Despres called it a “minor miracle” to be able to hold the tax rate.

The district is trying out single-run busing in the new school year, with students at all grade levels riding on the same bus in an effort to balance the budget and preserve classroom dollars.

An educational technician will be on every run.

The district is also working on more savings through regionalization efforts such as sharing software. A $609,000 Reading First grant received last week is also expected to keep costs low.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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