MECHANIC FALLS — Superintendent Todd Sanders offered his letter of resignation Monday to Regional School Unit 16 directors because he is relocating to the Maine coast.

Sanders said the time and distance to travel would be too much to continue as superintendent.

Sanders will serve until the end of this school year.

RSU 16 Superintendent Todd Sanders resigned Thursday, according to an email sent to the board of directors. He started with the district in July 2023. Submitted photo

Directors will immediately begin searching for a successor with the hope that one can be hired by June 24.

Chairperson Mary Martin of Mechanic Falls will speak of Sanders’ resignation at the outset of Tuesday’s evening district budget vote.

Last week, the district approved the $29.3 million budget proposed for the 2025 fiscal year, an increase of 6.9%, or nearly $2 million, over this year’s $27.4 million.

The administration cited several factors for the increase, including less state subsidy, higher valuations, fewer students, higher contractual salaries and higher maintenance costs.

Based on a home assessed at $100,000, the increase in property taxes would be $202 in Mechanic Falls, $171 in Minot, and $248 in Poland.

The district budget meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Poland Regional High School with information on the School Revolving Renovation Fund.

Details will also be provided on the interest-free, five-year bond totaling $110,180 to address Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues at Minot Consolidated School.

The state will fund 61% and the district is responsible for 39%, or $41,890, through payments spread over five years.

At 6:30 p.m., 20 articles on the school budget will be voted on by residents of the three towns at attendance. The funds in different educational categories can be changed at this time.

The budget validation vote will be held June 11 at polling places in each town.