SAD 22 budget slightly higher Voters will decide fate of plan Tuesday

HAMPDEN – Residents in SAD 22 will vote Tuesday on a budget that calls for an overall 3.9 percent increase in member towns’ assessment.

Hampden’s share is 3.49 percent more than the current year, while Winterport’s is 4.10 percent more. Newburgh residents stand to pay 5.76 percent more than this year.

The $16.8 million proposal is $886,119 higher than the current year’s budget largely because of hikes in negotiated salaries and benefits, the transportation contract, and water, fuel and electric rates.

The proposed plan includes an additional half-time science teacher at Hampden Academy to teach new advanced placement classes and lower the per-pupil ratio in existing classes; a part-time athletic trainer at Hampden Academy; and an additional day for school nurses in the elementary grades.

Calling the budget “very reasonable,” Superintendent Rick Lyons said it requires one of the lowest increases in the area. The plan is only slightly higher than the cost of living increase, he said.

“The board has recognized the impact on the local taxpayer,” Lyons said.

If voters approve the budget, the annual increase over the last three years will average 1.82 percent, according to the superintendent. The 2000 budget didn’t include any increase and this year’s plan called for a 1.54 percent hike.

Meanwhile, Newburgh officials have voiced their dissatisfaction with the proposal, arguing that the town is saddled with an unfair share of the budget. Newburgh has no large tax base and most of the residents have below average incomes, they said.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hampden residents in Districts 1 and 2 will vote at the town office while those in Districts 3 and 4 will vote at Reeds Brook Middle School. Voting also will take place at the town hall in Newburgh and at the town office in Winterport.