TURNER — More than a dozen registered voters in Greene, Leeds and Turner attended the annual Maine School Administrative District 52 budget discussion Thursday night at Leavitt Area High School, where each of the 18 articles passed without amendments.

Moderated by Clint Boothby, the budget discussion was finished in just 30 minutes.

Article 15, which asked voters to approve $5.2 million more in local funds than the state funding model recommendation, was passed 13-4 by secret ballot.

The extra revenue will help fund advanced placement courses, co- and extra-curricular costs, maintenance and operation costs of the district’s sewer treatment plant and special education, according to the district budget guide.

The $30.3 million school budget represents a 7% increase from the current spending plan.

Chairperson Elizabeth Bullard of Turner said the turnout was lower than it has been in some previous years, adding that it can vary greatly year-to-year. She hopes the small crowd indicates residents were able to receive answers to their budget questions from school officials before the meeting.

The budget will next go before residents by referendum on May 19. Residents can visit their respective town offices between 1-7 p.m. to vote.

The board of directors held their regularly scheduled meeting following the budget discussion.

Assistant Superintendent Theresa Gillis told the School Committee that the school climate survey was reopened to collect extra responses from students. The survey previously also collected responses from parents and staff.

“School-based teams are already beginning to look at the data and share with all of the staff,” she said.

Data from the survey will be presented at an upcoming school board meeting, she added. The date of the meeting was not specified.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Voters approve a $2.02 million budget for Mexico vocational school

Next »

Farmington-area schools canceled Friday due to high lead levels discovered in pipes