The U-32 board met this past Wednesday 12/6 and went over the draft budget for next school year. It was tough. We’re looking at a level-service budget. It would fund no more than what U-32 is doing this year, plus any new requirements imposed by law or by the arrival of new students needing special education.
So what does level-service at U-32 next year look like? — Around a 6.93% increase in education spending per equalized pupil. Something in the vicinity of 6.93% is the number you would see on the ballot at town meeting. I’m telling you this now, 6.93%, in case you prefer to gasp in the privacy of your own home instead of in public, as I did.
Factoring in where the elementary schools are in their budget process, our business manager sees education property taxes among our five U-32 towns going up by anywhere from $0.09 to $0.21 — not including the Common Level of Appraisal, which will land on us in a couple of weeks. Calais falls somewhere between the two extremes, as I understand it.
Any or all of these numbers could change over the next month or so. But I doubt they’ll leave the ballpark altogether.
That’s why I’d like for us to talk. Taxpayers already put forth a huge effort to fund our schools, which we board members appreciate beyond words and do not take at all for granted. Meanwhile, politicians are again priming their media blame cannons to fire at school boards for our alleged profligacy: a favorite seasonal pastime. And in the real world, schools must continue to take on heavier social service and mental health responsibilities that state and federal governments aren’t keeping up with — just in order to be able to continue to function as schools.
It’s a messy situation, but it’s really important to understand in order for you to know what to do when you vote on March 6. And I really need to hear your thoughts so that I can do right by Calais and our children in the run-up.
The U-32 board is holding a public forum on our budget at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 20 December. The meeting will also see the climax of our long-running Act 46 soap opera, so you can get a double dose of school board drama at no extra charge. Please do try to come if you have an interest in these decisions, as well as if you want to get your message across to the full 5-town panel.
In the meantime, if you want to get your message across to me, please feel free to e-mail or phone. I’ll gladly go to Adamant, East Calais, Maple Corner — wherever coffee can be had — to meet up with any groups of you who are interested. I also plan to sit in the gallery at the CES board meeting on 12/21. Please don’t stand on ceremony!
Dec 31, 2024, 12 to 6 PM
Come Join Us for French ConversationJan 2, 2025, 12 to 1 PM
Indoor Cornhole Games at MSACJan 2, 2025, 2:30 to 4 PM