Poland, Mechanic Falls and Minot voters gather Thursday night at Poland Regional High School to weigh in on a third attempt to pass a budget for Regional School Unit 16. They gave initial approval for a $28.4 million spending plan for 2024-25. A final vote is set for Sept. 17 in the three towns. Eriks Petersons photo

POLAND — More than 100 voters gave preliminary approval Thursday night to a third attempt at passing a budget for Regional School Unit 16.

During a nearly three-hour meeting at Poland Regional High School, residents of Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland passed the individual spending articles in the proposed $28.4 million spending plan. Of the 107 casting votes, 80 were from Poland, 17 were from Minot and 10 were from Mechanic Falls.

The budget faces a final single-question validation vote in the three towns Tuesday, Sept. 17.

A 45-minute explanation was given at the outset of the meeting on how the budget came about, with reductions in administrative staff, tech support and supplies, reduced salaries and benefits for new replacement hires, no new staff positions, as well as how the state subsidy works.

Some questions and comments after the explanation focused on the cost-sharing formula among the three towns during discussion on the article funding the administration office.

Poland voters rejected the last two budget proposals, causing both attempts to fail. Poland officials said opposition was probably due to the greater increase in property taxes residents would face compared to the other two towns, based in part on the cost-sharing formula.

School officials explained that of the total $28.4 million proposed budget, the state will provide $13.05 million for Essential Programs and Services. The amount of that subsidy is based on a number of factors, including student enrollment.

To get that subsidy, an additional $8.92 million must be raised by the three towns, with each town’s share based on its valuation as determined by the state.

Another $4.6 million in the proposed budget would come from the three towns, with each town’s share based 90% on their valuation and 10% on their student enrollment. That cost-sharing formula was adopted by RSU 16 in 2006.

The remaining amount of the proposed budget is largely capital improvement funds earmarked by the towns and federal funds for special purposes. RSU 16 is receiving $750,000 less in state subsidy this year than last.

Poland Select Board Chairperson Stephen Robinson and Vice Chairperson Maryanne Hawkes questioned the equality of the cost-sharing formula funding the $4.6 million.

Hawkes asked what the student populations and the cost per student are in each town.

Superintendent Amy Hedger said figures come from the most recent two-year average:

• Poland: 760 students; cost per student $17,079

• Mechanic Falls: 467.5 students; cost per student $15,136

• Minot: 393.5 students; cost per student $15,670.

In response, RSU 16 board Chairwoman Mary Martin said, “How important it is that we talk to our representatives and talk about how valuation is impacting this budget. … We get less for a Poland student than we get for a student in Minot or Mechanic Falls, and that’s part of why we’re seeing that what you’re paying in a town per student is much higher. … We are getting less subsidy for everyone of the Poland students because of valuation.”

Meeting moderator Colleen Quint noted, “(This is) nothing we can solve tonight. … It’s good to get a sentiment of the room and kind of what people’s concerns are.”

The cost-sharing formula is on the agenda for discussion for the school board meeting Monday.