SALEM TOWNSHIP — Regional School Unit 58 board members approved a $9.37 million budget for 2017-18 Thursday night.
The budget was $9.19 million last year.
Superintendent Susan Pratt said she had not heard how much the district will get from the state for the coming fiscal year.
Next year’s combined local share for Avon, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong is expected to go up by $7,347, she said.
“That’s a 0.21 percent increase,” she said. “We’ve trimmed in good shape, and we’ve been responsible.”
Starting July 1, Pratt suggested the board establish a capital reserve account to pay for required repairs and maintenance at the four schools.
The district has $673,000 in unassigned funds, and the board approved taking $493,000 to reduce the burden on taxpayers. The remaining $180,000 could be a start for a reserve account.
The board will ask voters to attend its April 13 meeting to hear reasons for borrowing money for required safety upgrades. They include an overhaul of the Mt. Abram High School ventilation and fire alarm systems and rebuilding the Phillips Elementary School elevator.
The interest-free loans would be from a state fund.
“If we don’t take this money, another district will get it,” Pratt said.
The referendum on the loan will be held April 25.
Comments are no longer available on this story