RSU 5 board discusses $44M budget to enhance education and reduce tax impact

The RSU 5 Board of Directors held its annual budget meeting on May 15, 2025, at the Durham Community School Auditorium, focusing on the proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The board presented a budget of $44,455,929, reflecting a 6.83% increase from the previous year. This budget prioritizes the educational needs of students while addressing taxpayer concerns.

A significant portion of the budget, 82.5%, is allocated to salary and benefit increases for staff. To mitigate the tax impact, the board has utilized $1,068,000 from the undesignated fund balance and projected $259,000 in interest income. The estimated tax increases for the three towns in the district are 8.83% in Durham, 4.95% in Freeport, and 7.87% in Pownal.

The board outlined three main budget priorities. The first is to maintain high-quality programming despite a decrease in student enrollment, which has led to the reduction of four educators and five educational technicians. The second priority focuses on supporting students, with requests for additional staff, including a grade 4 teacher and a behavior educational technician, as well as funding for summer programs that previously relied on COVID-19 funding.

The third priority is to enhance district infrastructure, ensuring a safe learning environment. This includes continued funding for capital improvements, security upgrades, and the replacement of the district's fleet of buses and vans. The board also plans to maintain non-lapsing reserve accounts to address facility and enrollment needs throughout the fiscal year.

The board expressed gratitude for the community's ongoing support and emphasized that the proposed budget aims to foster student-centered learning environments that promote growth and success. The meeting concluded with a call for community support for the budget as it moves forward for voter approval.