Maine School Administrative District 58 voters approved a $13.2 million budget at a July 21 public hearing at Mount Abram High School.

The budgeted amount is the same as the one proposed in May and ultimately rejected by voters in June. At the May 18 public hearing, voters cut more than $400,000 from various articles. The revised budget was then voted down during the June 9 referendum.

Multiple motions to reduce the funding to various articles were voted down during the meeting this week. Voters made motions to reduce the regular education fund by $50,000, and then $25,000, before being turned down by a majority on the floor.

Some residents expressed the importance of full funding for the special education program. Jamie Frost, an education technician for the district, stated that there are more students than one would expect utilizing special education resources. Sabrina Reed-Carrier responded and said that around 30% of the district’s children are identified as special education.

Residents of the district who favored a lower budget said that a reduction was the only way that some would be able to remain living in the area.

Motions to reduce the special education fund were rejected after a lengthy process of amendments. Afterward, residents began to immediately make motions to put the recommended articles to a vote, which prevented reductions in the budget from being started on the floor.

Residents began filing out of the meeting after multiple articles were moved to a vote without the opportunity to discuss. Adam Bilodeau, a member of the school board from Avon, stood up and expressed his frustration with the majority’s suspended discussion.

“The problem is you’re silencing another group. That is the most undemocratic thing we could possibly do. You’re taking and abusing your power instead of letting the people speak,” Bildeau said, before walking out of the meeting.

The impact of the proposed budget on the four towns within the district is: Avon, 4.12% increase, or $27,426; Kingfield, 3.67% increase, or $81,467; Phillips, 9.77% increase, or $125,792; and Strong, 7.74% increase, or $103,291. The total increase for the district is 6.13%, or $337,976.

By the end of the hearing, none of the articles were changed. The original budget will move on for approval by residents of Phillips, Avon, Kingfield and Strong during a referendum Aug. 10, with voters casting ballots in each town from 8 a.m to 8 p.m.

Supporting Sponsor for Franklin Journal, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rangeley Highlander and Rumford Falls Times.
Keeping communities informed by supporting local news. franklinsavings.bank