SAD 46 budget needs less property tax money

DEXTER – Although the proposed SAD 46 budget of $8.3 million reflects an increase in spending in 2004, it will require less from property taxes, a handful of residents learned when they attended Wednesday night’s public hearing on the issue.

A referendum vote on the spending plan will be held June 10 in each of the member towns. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Dexter Town Council chambers and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Exeter and Garland town offices and the Ripley School.

The proposed budget reflects an increase of $127,152 over the current year’s spending plan, but less money will be needed from property taxes primarily because the district received an increase in general purpose aid of $118,194 from the state for 2004, according to Superintendent Les Butler.

Butler said the school board and budget committee were cognizant of the economic climate when the budget was prepared.

To meet the budget requirements, $2,000,313 will be raised locally to receive state subsidy and $307,362 will be raised without state participation as local-option funds.

Residents were told Wednesday that the budget has a balance forward of $296,283, which is an increase of $46,283 over 2003. These monies were not expended in 2003 because district officials were fearful of cuts at the state level, according to Butler.

“We were very cautious through the year,” he said.

The budget includes the elimination of two middle school positions based on declining enrollment. Butler said there were 106 eighth-grade pupils advancing to high school and only 44 pupils moving from elementary school to the middle school. Even if the economic climate was good in the region, Butler said he would still recommend the eliminations.

Special education costs for out-of-district placement were reduced by $88,329 because of less need.

Added to the budget this year are a part-time behavior specialist at the elementary level, a part-time alternative education position at the middle school and architectural fees.

A 3 percent increase is included for administrators. With the increases, salaries for next year will be as follows: Butler, $77,289; Bruce Bailey, high school principal, $69,074; Alan Smith, middle school principal, $59,740; Anne Jordan, elementary principal, $53,045; and Nicholas Vafiades, Tri-County Technical School head, $56,107.

A resident suggested Wednesday night that the district should streamline the budget process and eliminate the line-item budget. Directors said they were reluctant to make such a move on their own and that changes in the way the budget is handled would have to come through public channels. Director Art Jette said the board does not want to be perceived as removing any opportunities the public may have to make changes to the budget. The line-item method has attracted more residents to the process, he said.