SAD 53 awaits approval of smaller $10.3M budget

PITTSFIELD – The process to approve a school budget has changed this year with two votes now necessary, Superintendent Michael Gallagher explained this week to town councilors.

Gallagher outlined the factors that affected the budget, including nearly a half million dollar decrease in state funding. The overall $10.3 million proposed budget is actually smaller than last year’s, but decreased state money increased the amount to be raised locally through taxation by 3.19 percent.

Still, Gallagher told the councilors, the local taxation remains lower than it was in any year between 2000 and 2005.

“I think you’ve done a heck of a job controlling expenses,” Councilor Mike Gray said.

Gallagher said the 3.19 percent increase “is fairly reasonable given that we’ve done a good job cutting the budget down.”

During several rounds of budget reductions, more than $600,000 was trimmed. These cuts included a first grade position; replacement of a retiring teacher with a new, lower paid teacher; and tuition to Maine Central Institute because of decreased enrollment. Also, a special education aide’s position was eliminated due to attrition and funds for special education occupational therapy and physical therapy were shifted to local entitlement funds. Cuts were also made in technology maintenance and service, equipment, instructional books and supplies.

Gallagher explained that the budget is being presented a month early so as not to interfere with the school consolidation plan, which could take place in June. The voting process will also be a bit different this year, he said.

A town meeting-style vote will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Warsaw Middle School gymnasium, where voters will be given the opportunity to vote on 14 articles. What ever amount they select will then be voted on May 12. The vote on a regional school union will be held on June 10.

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