FARMINGTON — The Regional School Unit 9 board is expected to review a list of at least $500,000 in recommended reductions to the school budget Tuesday, April 26.

The meeting will follow the regular board meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Forum at Mt. Blue Campus.

Directors requested April 12 that the school administrator team propose reductions to bring the budget down from a 4.52 percent increase to a targeted overall 3 percent increase after factoring in anticipated revenues, Superintendent Tom Ward said.

The initial proposed spending package of $33.5 million is $1.5 million more than the current budget.

Among the anticipated revenues are $300,000 in MaineCare reimbursements and a $500,000 carryover from 2014, Ward said.

With additional funding expected from the state General Purpose Aid to Education, some towns will see a decrease and some towns will see a minimum increase, he said.

Under the 3 percent increase, towns would be required to raise a total of $13.1 million, an overall increase of $5,237 from the current budget.

If the spending plan stays as proposed, all towns would see an increase, according to information provided by Ward. 

Farmington would be the hardest hit with an estimated increase of $176,629 more than the $4.67 million the town raised last year. 

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

Budget increase

The estimated effect on Regional School Unit 9 towns, if the proposed $33.5 million 2016-17 school budget is reduced by about $500,000 and anticipated revenues are factored in to bring it to an overall 3 percent increase, is:

Chesterville: $944,635, increase of $3,121

Farmington: $4.67 million, decrease of $3,187

Industry: $815,930, increase of $4,689

New Sharon: $1 million, decrease of $6,463

New Vineyard: $711,669, increase of $13,220

Starks: $361,615, increase of $23,904

Temple: $444,536, decrease of $9,171

Vienna: $706,000, increase of $8,495

Weld: $506,822, increase of $38,211

Wilton: $2.9 million, decrease of $67,582

Source: RSU 9

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