RSU 4 board approves $18.69 million school budget

WALES — The Regional School Unit 4 board set a new school budget Wednesday evening of $18.69 million for fiscal year 2016-17, a decrease of $7,000 from the budget of $18.70 million rejected last month.

The new amount is a result of a decrease in Superintendent Jim Hodgkin’s salary.

This budget will be presented to voters on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Oak Hill High School. The approved budget will be put to a referendum vote on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

The board agreed to research the cost formula used to figure the amount of additional local funds required by taxpayers in Sabattus, Litchfield and Wales.

Using the current formula, which is based on student population and property value, Litchfield taxpayers pay more per pupil than Sabattus and Wales pay.

Hodgkin will form a task force with representatives from each town to discuss and explore the potential of making the tax burden more equitable for all.

In other news, the board elected these people for school year 2016-17:

• Laurie Catanese, assistant principal, Oak Hill High School;

• Philip Prideaux, math teacher, Oak Hill High School; and

• Allan Taylor, grade six math and science teacher, Oak Hill Middle School.

The board made these appointments:

• Joline Fournier, food service manager, Carrie Ricker School; and

• Tammy Thibodeau, bus driver.