Since the 2012 budget of $28.9 million, the School Administrative District 51 budget has increased to a proposed 2019 budget of $35.9 million, or more than 24 percent.
In October 2017 there were 2,043 students, according to the annual report posted on the school website and 411 staff members (387.08 full-time equivalents). That equates to $17,774 per student, the highest amount in the region (compared with Yarmouth, Falmouth, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, and RSU 21/Kennebunk).
The average Cumberland resident is nearly 51. Nearly 75 percent of the town’s homes do not have children in school.
North Yarmouth taxpayers will see a tax increase of 5.9 percent or $329 per year on a $350,000 home; Cumberland taxes will increase 4.42 percent or $290 more per year on a $350,000 home.
Social Security recipients saw cost-of-living adjustments since 2012 of 1.7 percent, 1.5 percent, 0 percent, 0 percent and, in 2017, 2 percent.
Voting on June 12 is your chance to be heard. A no vote sends the budget back to the school committee. It is all we can do as taxpayers.
Pam Smith
North Yarmouth
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