CUMBERLAND — The proposed fiscal 2018 budget in School Administrative District 51 remains about 2.8 percent higher than current spending, despite three recent additions.

While SAD 51 had budgeted a 9 percent health insurance increase into the proposed $35.9 million budget, it was notified that the cost hike would actually be only 6 percent – a savings of $88,500.

That savings went to fund three items, totalling the same amount together, that were not included in the first draft budget – a Pathways program extended learning specialist ($55,000), which had received strong board support; more hours for a physical education teacher ($13,500); and an extra $20,000 toward a network upgrade lease, bringing the total to $70,000.

Subtracting nearly $12 million in revenues such as state subsidy, nearly $24 million would be levied in taxes to Cumberland and North Yarmouth property owners – a 6.54 percent increase.

A SAD 51 Board of Directors budget public hearing Monday drew only one speaker – former board member Pete Wilson of Cumberland – who argued that the district is spending too much per pupil compared with neighboring high-performing districts.

“We’re a great school (district); however, it looks to me like we’re overspending,” he said, noting the more the public debt increases, the greater the load today’s students will have to shoulder as adults.

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Comparing its tax assessed per-pupil cost to nearby high-performing districts, SAD 51 spends more than $11,800, compared with $11,700 in Yarmouth, almost $13,100 in Falmouth and nearly $13,500 in Cape Elizabeth, Porter reported during a budget presentation early this month.

SAD 51, which received $11.9 million in state aid for fiscal year 2017, faces a potential subsidy loss of nearly $896,000. But having heard indications from Augusta that more money could be allocated toward education, SAD 51 has factored in a loss of about $464,000 – half the potential deduction.

The final number may not be known for sure until June – around the time SAD 51 voters are due to ratify the budget a second and final time, Porter said.

The tax assessment to Cumberland could be $17.2 million, an increase of 3.56 percent once new valuation is factored in. North Yarmouth could be taxed $6.8 million, a 3.9 percent hike, according to Porter.

A home valued at $350,000 would see a $238 tax increase in Cumberland and a $241.50 increase in North Yarmouth.

Without cutting about $476,000 from the draft budget, and not funding about $420,000 in other proposed expenditures, the spending plan would have increased 5.59 percent, Porter said.

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Significant reductions include not filling a soon-to-be-vacant teaching position at Greely High School ($55,000); a drop in debt service ($64,000); not filling a vacant custodial position ($45,000); and a budget freeze in the current fiscal cycle that would allow SAD 51 to pay off existing leases this year, to offset expenses next year ($200,000).

Items recommended but not slated for funding include classroom furniture ($44,000); technology purchases ($56,000); a science lab teacher ($55,000); and deferring $130,000 in payments for a climate control system project at the Mabel I. Wilson Elementary School to fiscal year 2019, paying only $50,000 next year.

Proposed additions to next year’s budget – totaling $468,500 – include the $50,000 payment for Wilson, as well as $70,000 for a network upgrade to address bandwidth issues; $90,000 for a school bus, for which the state could reimburse the district; and $55,000 for a new teacher to facilitate increased enrollment at Wilson school.

The board is set to adopt the budget Monday, May 1, after which voters will get two cracks at it – at a district budget meeting May 18, and at referendum June 13.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.


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