POLAND — The Regional School Unit 16 committee Monday night approved a $20.8 million budget for 2016-17 and signed warrant that goes to voters May 23.

The vote will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Poland Regional High School auditorium.

Superintendent Tina Meserve said the spending plan is about $206,000 higher than this year, but an increase in state funding will ease the effect on local property tax rates.

According to estimates provided by school officials:

• Mechanic Falls’ assessment is expected to be about $6,000 less than the this year;

• Minot’s is projected to increase by about $31,000; and

• Poland’s is expected to increase by $148,000.

Committee Chairwoman Mary Martin said the proposed budget is the same as presented at meetings in each of the three towns two weeks ago.

She said people attending the public hearings seemed comfortable with the minimal increase. Compared with this year, taxes on properties valued at $100,000 are projected to be about $6.73 less in Mechanic Falls, about $4.80 more in Minot and $17.52 more in Poland.

In other business, the committee took under advisement Elm Street School PTO representative Jess Smith’s request that the board amend the policy regarding the use of school facilities. Specifically cited was a provision that requires the PTO to pay $35 per hour for someone from the staff to be present when the organization is using the school kitchen.

Smith pointed out that all money raised by the PTO goes directly to meet special needs at the Elm Street School. She also noted that the PTO doesn’t use any of the kitchen equipment.

The board’s facilities’ operations subcommittee will review the request.

The board:

 • congratulated high school math teacher Mike Hayashida on being named Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year;

•  approved an out-of-state trip for students to attend the national speech and debate tournament in Sacramento, Calif.;

• voted to extend administrator contracts for Elm Street School Principal Ryan Patrie and Minot Consolidated School Principal Kim Spencer through to June 30, 2017, bringing their contracts in line with other school administrators; and

• accepted the resignation of high school Spanish teacher Fatma Saad.

Meserve said high school graduation will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11.

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