LISBON — Superintendent Richard Green presented an $18.3 million proposed school budget Monday that would raise local taxes by $680,990, or about 9%.
The spending plan constitutes a $666,946, or 3.8%, increase over last year. Green said this is the school department’s preliminary budget.
A $680,990 tax increase could increase the tax rate from $23.10 per $1,000 of assessed value to $24.18 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to Lisbon Town Manager Diane Barnes. That would equate to a property tax bill increase from $4,620 to $4,836 for a home assessed at $200,000.
Green said increases in salaries and benefits costs total $550,000 and remain the primary reason for the spending increase.
There’s an additional $25,000 budgeted for a Jobs for Maine Graduates position previously funded by a grant. There are also increases in professional service costs related to the service contracts the school department established for the new HVAC improvements in its buildings in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As always we will continue to look at our current programs and services, make sure we are operating in the most efficient manner and we will consider additional restructuring through attrition and needs that are addressed through professional conversations,” Green said.
Green said Lisbon School Department became part of the Western Maine Education Service Center in July 2020. Education service centers are operated by school administrative units to improve educational services, increase student achievement, provide resources, and create efficiencies through a cooperative structure, according to the Maine Department of Education.
Lisbon School Department used to see penalties because it wasn’t part of a service center. As a result of joining a service center, Lisbon will get an additional $73,477 in state subsidy, Green said.
Student enrollment is still down and may impact the budget as well, Green said. The school district has 1,150 students and 151 students who are homeschooling due to the pandemic. If those students don’t all return, the district will be looking at its special education service and classroom supports and possibly restructuring those services.
“Some of the things that have come up through initial conversations is increasing student services in regards to either guidance social work, especially at the elementary level where there’s only one guidance counselor… and also looking at other services whether its social work or a trauma coach or other things,” Green said.
The school department also may be able to do some projects in this budget with capital reserve funds Green said, which may reduce the operating budget.
The school district has received $1.16 million in federal COVID-19 aid and Green said the school department could receive additional aid.
The Town Council ultimately approves a proposed school budget to send to Lisbon voters to adopt at a referendum in June.
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