TURNER – Administrators and directors of SAD 52 presented their proposed $20,626,408 budget for 2005-06 to an audience of 10 in the Greene Elementary School gymnasium Monday night.
Residents of the district from Greene, Leeds and Turner will vote on the proposal Wednesday, June 8, at the Leavitt Area High School Auditorium in Turner beginning at 7 p.m.
Superintendent Thomas Hanson outlined revenue sources for the system, including asking $519,000 less from the three towns than was requested last year. The reductions break down to 6.5 percent or $98,831 for Leeds, 6.24 percent for Greene at $181,086, and 6 percent for Turner, $239,101.
An increase in state aid under the Essential Programs and Services Allocation enabled the Board of Directors and administration to put together what Hanson described as a “budget that reflects the delicate balance between offering a quality education program while maintaining fiscal responsibility to our local residents.”
Next year’s budget is $1,013,453 – or 5.17 percent – above the budget for 2004-05, but includes payments on major projects of $317,000, including a new wing at Tripp Middle School, a complete renovation and a new wing at Greene Central School, and upgrading of parking lots at the Leavitt Institute Building and Turner Elementary School as well as Leeds Central School.
Major expenses in the proposed budget include $6,245,457 for elementary education, kindergarten through grade 8, with an added focus on literacy and math; $3,302,171 for secondary education, grades 9 through 12, with an additional teacher for literacy and reading at LRHS; $2,137,308 for special education; $374,773 for co-curricular activities that directors made clear is where “students learn to manage their time.”
Expenses also include $2,331,903 for districtwide programs and services, which no longer includes the services of a substance abuse counselor, a fact that drew criticism from one resident who said “counseling is terribly important in the school system and funding should be found for the position”; $2,589,279 for debt service; $1,389,657 for transportation services; $2,182,560 for buildings and grounds; $275,913 for adult education; and $73,300 for contingency.
At least three residents in attendance commended the directors and administrators for the budget proposal they had produced.
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