Proposed budget goes to SAD 68 board for action

DOVER-FOXCROFT – A proposed 2004-2005 budget that reflects a 1.28 percent increase over last year is headed to the full SAD 68 board next week for consideration.

Once the board endorses the proposed $7,796,166 spending plan, it will then be presented to residents at a June 1 district meeting.

Assessments under the current proposal are as follows: Dover-Foxcroft, $1,984,002, an increase of $150,131 over last year; Monson, $394,542, up $33,344; Sebec, $331,518, up $21,593; and Charleston, $436,923, up $23,582.

Because of declining enrollment, the district has received $309,284 less in state subsidy over the past two years, including $76,745 this year, according to SAD 68 Superintendent John Dirnbaurer.

To offset the subsidy loss last year, the board eliminated several positions and reduced other items for a cut of $316,689.

This year’s proposal includes the elimination of a mid-level teacher, a reduction of $16,663 in special education staffing at Foxcroft Academy, and other changes, for a total cut of $116,017.

Factored into the proposed budget is an estimated $2,870,516 for the Insured Value Factor (debt service) and tuition paid to Foxcroft Academy to educate the district’s secondary students. This amount represents an overall increase of $15,356.

The proposed budget also includes $43,283 for the district’s share of the operation of Tri-County Technical Center in Dexter.

A reduction of $12,081 in staff development is proposed in the new budget. Last year, $19,959 was spent for staff development compared to $7,877 budgeted this year.

An increase of $3,009 is budgeted for athletics at SeDoMoCha Middle School, taking the account from $35,267 to $38,276.

The budget committee has included $50,000 in the budget for architectural and engineering services for the proposed new elementary school, and $18,500 for building improvements.

Administrative salaries included in the preliminary budget are the following: $54,000 for the Morton School principal; $61,950 for the SeDoMoCha Middle School principal, and $75,000 for the superintendent, his current level of pay.