NEW GLOUCESTER – Voters head to the polls in Gray and New Gloucester on Tuesday, June 13, to decide whether to approve a $19 million SAD 15 budget for 2006-07.
In the referendum, eight articles need approval to pass the total budget.
The proposed budget includes $9 million in state subsidy, which increased by $900,000 this year.
The overall budget also includes funding a full-time literacy teacher at the high school, an elementary school classroom teacher, two kindergarten teachers, a gifted and talented teacher and part-time education technician and grounds worker.
New Gloucester’s estimated tax rate in the proposed budget is $6.70 per $1,000 of valuation, a decrease from $7.25. Gray would see an estimated tax rate of $8.60; the current rate is $8.89.
The budget increases are due to higher costs for fuel, contracted agreements and heating oil.
Article 2 asks voters to appropriate $16,557,333 for the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12, described in the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act. The district must raise $7,232,540 as the local share.
Gray’s portion is $4,791,800, and New Gloucester’s share is $2,440,740.
Article 3 asks voters to raise and appropriate $97,000 for debt service for major capital school construction projects and minor renovation projects not approved for state subsidy.
Article 4 asks voters to raise and appropriate $1,152,482 in additional local funds, the amount needed to fund the school budget of $19,003,987.
Article 5 seeks voter approval to spend the $19,003,987 budget, a required warrant question.
Article 6 seeks approval to appropriate $111,349 and raise local share of $50,000 for Adult Education and Community Education program.
Article 7 seeks approval to appropriate $150,000 from the ending balance of the school general operating funds of the 2005-06 school year to add to the capital reserve fund. The funds will be spent for the future repair or replacement of such things as roofs, septic systems and boilers without the need to raise additional tax dollars.
Article 8 seeks voter approval to appropriate and spend state, federal and private grants and other forms of aid received during the 2006-07 school year.
Polls in New Gloucester will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at AMVET Post 6 Hall on Route 100.
Polls in Gray are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Newbegin Gym.
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