CARMEL – Despite an increase in the 2008-09 SAD 23 budget, a rise in state subsidy should keep the local expense minimal.

Of the nearly $8.5 million budget, which is a 4.68 percent increase compared with last year, Carmel and Levant residents will be asked to pay almost $2.1 million. The local amount increased by just under $50,000, or 2.43 percent, when compared to last year’s budget. Levant residents will pay only $1,700 more than last year and Carmel residents will see a $48,000 increase.

The district’s local cost-sharing formula is based entirely upon valuation. Carmel’s valuation increased by 12.15 percent, while Levant’s grew only by 7.53 percent. Carmel residents will pay 53.38 percent of the district’s local budget share, $1.12 million, and Levant residents will be responsible for 46.62 percent, or $980,000.

“We got a very good increase from the state due to the [Essential Programs and Services] formula,” said SAD 23 Superintendent John Backus about the state formula that help define how much districts should spend on educational programs in order to meet the Maine Learning Results standards.

Carmel and Levant residents will be able to vote on the district’s 18 warrant articles at the budget meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Caravel Middle School in Carmel. Residents will then vote on the district’s budget referendum on Tuesday, June 10. Polls will be open for Carmel residents 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Golden Harvest Grange. Levant residents can vote 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office.

Backus said the budget does not contain many changes from last year, except for a rise in fuel costs. Staffing levels should remain the same, with the exception of education technician positions, for which there is less demand at the elementary level, he said.

Every year the district tends to overestimate the necessary tuition money for its high school students to be cautious, but this year the board of directors tried to budget as close to current enrollment as possible, Backus said. In past years, any remaining money would go back to the towns to reduce taxes, but with consolidation approaching the board did not want to raise more money than necessary, he said.

The district budgeted almost $60,000 more in diesel fuel this year than last, bringing the total diesel cost to nearly $127,000.

trobbins@bangordailynews.net

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