TURNER — The school board for Greene, Leeds and Turner has approved a proposed budget with a 1.3 percent increase. That budget will be voted on by residents in the three towns in a May referendum.

The MSAD 52 Board of Directors approved a $23.2 million budget, up from the current $22.9 budget, on April 5.

If approved, that budget would mean higher annual property taxes of approximately $67 in Greene; $55 in Turner; and $124 in Leeds, according to estimates from Superintendent Henry Aliberti.

In the budget approved by the school board, no programs were cut, but 14 positions were eliminated, including a maintenance worker, a substitute bus driver and an in-house suspension monitor at the high school.

Other positions cut at schools were: Turner Primary School, an ed technician; Turner Elementary School, an office support assistant and half-time special ed tech; Leeds Central School, an literacy teacher; Tripp Middle School, a computer technician.

And at Leavitt Area High School, a computer technician and half-time day treatment ed tech were also cut. Two district-wide positions also were cut, a volunteer coordinator and adult ed receptionist.

“Economic conditions require us to be conservative in our budget approach, and we have to balance efficiency with the promotion of educational programming,” Aliberti said in a news release.

The district is seeking input from the community, he said. The annual district budget approval vote will be held at 6 p.m. May 1 at Leavitt Area High School. The budget validation referendum will be held at polling locations in each of the three towns from 1 to 7 p.m. May 8.

The mission for Turner, Leeds and Greene schools “is to provide academic excellence in a safe, respectful, learning environment,” Aliberti said. “We have an outstanding school system in which we all can be very proud.” 

He praised support for and commitment to the schools from the local communities.