TURNER — SAD 52 residents passed the 2018-19 school budget on a 264-167 vote Friday night, according to Superintendent Kimberly Brandt.

Voters in Turner and Leeds both passed the budget. Voters in Greene turned it down, but since the vote is cumulative among the three towns, the $27.36 million budget passed.

“I am grateful that our families and community members have supported our budget,” Brandt said.

The budget is up 4.68 percent over last year, but the average assessment increased just over 4 percent after being offset by state aid.

Included in the new budget: 

• Bringing back varsity golf to the high school and introducing varsity indoor track to the high school for the first time;

• Separating the single role of assistant principal and athletic director at the high school into two positions, dean of students and athletic director;

• Expanding the school nurse position to full time and adding a special education teacher in the autism program at Turner Elementary;

•  Bus cameras; and

• Capital reserve funds to start saving for projects and replacements, including a wood chip burner.

“MSAD 52 exists for our students and this budget supports student academic and social-emotional needs,” Brandt said. “It also supports safe transportation and facilities maintenance, which are non-academic necessities for our students. I believe we have met our goal of finding the balance between meeting the needs of our students and continuing our commitment to fiscal responsibility.”

Also in Turner on Friday night, voters returned JoAnn Nickerson to the school board and voted in Jessaka Nichols, Brandt said.

kskelton@sunjournal.com

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