Local assessments in SAD 4 to increase

GUILFORD – A budget that reflects a second year of 10.5 percent increases in the local share of the tax assessment was approved Tuesday by a small contingent of SAD 4 voters.

Although the local assessments show a “substantial” increase, Interim Superintendent Mike Cyr noted that the overall budget reflects only a 1.2 percent increase. Other than the amount to be raised locally to receive state subsidy, the district did not ask for any additional local funds, he said. Less state aid, a declining enrollment, increasing costs and increasing valuations in member communities contributed to the increase in assessments, he said.

“A frugal but very honest budget” was how Cyr summed up the spending plan Tuesday.

But Ann Bridge of Parkman found the budget otherwise. She said that increasing Parkman’s assessment by 10 percent in one year showed “incredible arrogance on someone’s part.” She said she hoped that pattern would not continue in future years and urged the board to take measures to ensure it does not occur.

Janice McAllister, a former town official in Abbot, also expressed concern about the spending plan. “I’m very, very concerned with the constant rise in these school prices,” she said. McAllister said many residents in her community were elderly and on fixed incomes, who could ill afford to pay increases in their property taxes.

There are many ways to cut taxes, she said, encouraging board members to find them. She noted that the 20 school buses parked in the yard might be one way to reduce costs.

Cyr said the district has a rural sprawl and that 17 of the 20 buses are used on regular runs. The district buys 76-passenger buses rather than 56-passenger vehicles at a cost of $6,000 more because they are universal and can transport an entire classroom of children.

In defense of the school budget, Cyr said the district spends less per pupil than surrounding districts. The district’s tuition costs are about $1,000 less than area schools in Howland, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft and Greenville.

The elementary tuition in SAD 4 shows an even greater difference between other school districts, he said.

During action on the budget, residents approved a capital improvement reserve fund that will use any undesignated balances, expected to be about $60,000.

Cyr said sooner or later the district will need building funds to repair the high school and other facilities. The funds in this account cannot be spent unless approved at a district budget meeting or special district meeting, he explained.

After the budget meeting, school directors signed the following assessments: $328,264 for Abbot, a $37,660 increase from last year; $140,586 for Cambridge, a $15,244 increase; $936,559 for Guilford, a $86,465 increase; $276,373 for Parkman, an increase of $26,102; $482,338 for Sangerville, an increase of $46,536; and $121,841 for Wellington, an increase of $5,600.