FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 began deliberations Tuesday on a proposed $32.19 million budget for 2015-16. The proposal reflects a 3.73 percent increase, or $1.15 million more than the current budget.

The board has not made any decisions on the amount to go before voters in June.

Health insurance costs came in $201,261 less than budgeted, Business Manager Kris Pottle said. It is a 1.67 percent decrease.

With additions of educational technician IIs and IIIs and elimination of one Destination Imagination coach and an audio/video coordinator, there is a $72,100 decrease from the prior proposal of $32.27 million.

The public was allowed to comment on the spending package before deliberations. No one signed up to comment but an unidentified man in the audience said the initial proposal with a 3.9 percent increase was double what other districts were asking for. He said his Social Security check did not increase by that amount.

In the long run, people need to decide where to cut, he said.

Any extra money at the end of the fiscal year is used to lower the next year’s budget, Superintendent Tom Ward said. The budgets are tight and sometimes they are lucky to have $2,000 to $3,000 left over, he said.

Some educators spoke in favor of budget items, including educational technician IIIs and smaller class sizes.

Director Ross Clair of Chesterville moved to the other side of the room to make a public comment.

From his perspective, he said, they hear what’s best for the child but what weighs on him the most is the community. There are people who do not have a lot of money and cannot afford increases in taxes, he said.

“I feel an alliance with the community,” he said. Community members want children to receive a quality education, he said, but resources are limited.

“It is a real balancing act,” board Chairman Mark Prentiss said.

Budget deliberations will continue at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the Forum at the Mt. Blue Campus.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

Copy the Story Link