RSU 68 officials looking at near $11.8M 2019-20 budget

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A proposed 2019-20 academic year budget totaling $11,784,238 was brought forward by the finance committee to the full RSU 68 school board during an April 2 meeting at the SeDoMoCha School. This figure is up by nearly $225,000 from the current approximate $11.6 million spending plan.

Superintendent Stacy Shorey said the budget has been developed over the last several months with those involved operating under guiding principles of “really to balance what’s best for the students while being fiscally responsible” and making the budget reflect the mission of the district.

She said the state contribution is down by about $142,000 (1 percent) to a figure of a little more than $6.3 million. Shorey said there are seven fewer students than in 2018-19, with most of the loss at the pre-K level.

“On the budget side you will see an increase to taxpayers,” the superintendent said.

The four RSU 68 communities have a combined local assessment of $4,704,087 for 2019-20, a $69,518 increase from the current year. The assessment is made up of local contributions, additional local monies and funding for adult education.

The four total proposed assessments are each up, with Charleston’s rising $11,288 to $639,806; Dover-Foxcroft’s share up by $34,191 to $2,814,827; Monson would see a $12,786 assessment increase for a total of $577,530; and for Sebec a $671,922 figure is $11,252 more than in 2018-19.

“Our overall budget is up by 1.94 percent but because of additional revenues it will only be 1.5 percent for taxpayers,” Shorey said.

“So we will give you time to simmer, ponder and we will talk about it more in May and vote,” she said to the directors.

Shorey said the annual district budget meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, with a 6 p.m. information session starting the evening. The total budget approved that night will go to a referendum vote in the four towns on Tuesday, June 11 with residents of the four communities voting either “yes” or “no” to make a district-wide decision.

In other business, spring sports appointments were made for SeDoMoCha Middle School. Max Andrews will coach the A baseball team and John Riitano will lead B baseball. Kirstie Mower is the A softball coach and Jason Dean the B softball coach. Danica Constantine is the head track coach with Heather Whitten the assistant.

“So we have a full slate of coaches, we have lots of students signed up and they were outside practicing today,” Shorey said.

In his report SeDoMoCha School Principal Adam Gudroe said over 100 students are participating in spring sports.