CUMBERLAND — Voters in School Administrative District 51 approved a $28 million spending plan for fiscal 2011 in Tuesday’s budget validation referendum.

The vote followed initial approval of the budget by Cumberland and North Yarmouth voters at a district budget meeting June 3.

The budget was approved 1,759 to 1,046 in Cumberland and 756-590 in North Yarmouth.

Voters in both towns also favored continuing the referendum process for another three years: 1,919 to 846 in Cumberland and 907-414 in North Yarmouth.

They also gave second approval to creating a fuel cost stabilization fund and transfer of up to $150,000 to that fund from available fund balances at year’s end. That question passed 1,629 to 1,035 in Cumberland and 709-574 in North Yarmouth.

Results were unofficial as of early Wednesday morning.

The fiscal 2011 budget will remain flat for the third year in a row and includes almost 19 job cuts. The district is losing $1.25 million in revenue, including a cut of about $750,000 in state subsidy.

The tax assessment to Cumberland is increasing more than $900,000, to $11.8 million, showing an addition of 70 cents, or 4.8 percent, per $1,000 of property valuation. North Yarmouth will experience a hike of more than $350,000, to $4.7 million, which will add 64 cents to the tax rate – an approximately 5 percent increase.

Next year’s budget saves more than $121,000 by moving third-graders from the Drowne Road School to the Mabel I. Wilson School. The Wilson school currently houses kindergarten through second grade. Job cuts include a library educational technician, secretary, social worker and custodian.

Alex Lear can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net.

Copy the Story Link