[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6210872,"mediaKeyId","3704490-dcac007f8ebaa918c556ebefb762f741","parentId",3704490,"title","Voters approve $1.61 million transfer to create administrative office replacement reserve after debate","audioSeconds",215,"startMs",3064000,"endMs",3279000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3704490-dcac007f8ebaa918c556ebefb762f741&start=3064&end=3279","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3704490-dcac007f8ebaa918c556ebefb762f741/thumbnail_3064000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210872/Maine/Voters-approve-161-million-transfer-to-create-administrative-office-replacement-reserve-after-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210872-7998d725e9e01a6560d386e615dad1ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167531&Signature=ciydQbupSNRGn04P1zyviD8Il0Xe904Hmkcb9O2iBB~tBfUW-lD0qvdMMmROWoHpVsU2MP9oszv4fQiVYyHBlDe6Z6ro2ff8gzESLn70OU6FGTiFGHHIYzdiMgw-jQSfCtvzlRQnzyCTyuOF9UFW9nMKF6I6jyfnWuKKD44wzApLPAbgX-EU1ctD0k5TcaSbMExzCC7gOBTlgJ~Efd4-uwuZAePdRqRHuHNfoezRgZFKLZlYFrV5ZgLXJ4igpAYzwju6wP~xy4yrq9VKohFs3y9VLQ~JPea-jr~7ExH6a1gRSmQyDrzEeb5K34Vgqw-GvO2T8TEE9WueBVRVmZxxXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 22","date","2025-06-06T12:16:09Z","article","Voters approved Article 19, authorizing the school board to establish an administrative office replacement reserve fund and to transfer up to $1,610,000 from available fund balances to that reserve.

Why it mattered: the proposal prompted debate over whether the planned work is a maintenance project (covered by unallocated fund balance) or a new building project that would require separate voter approval or different legal treatment. Speakers differed on whether the existing administrative office is in \"disrepair\" and whether the use of fund balance for a replacement fits the statutory framework cited in the warrant materials.

Arguments in favor: a budget committee representative who spoke on behalf of the committee characterized the building as in poor condition and said the item had been discussed extensively in prior budget meetings. The committee speaker described the work as a maintenance-related replacement and argued against returning one-time fund balance to taxpayers only to create higher budget pressure the next year, saying, \"We don't wanna do that again.\" The speaker and other backers said using fund balance for the administrative office would allow the district to address a long-standing facility need now.

Arguments against and clarifications: another meeting participant, identified as a district staff member, disputed the characterization that the district's buildings are in disrepair and listed recent inspections and projects, including roof inspections, fire-alarm work at McGraw, a Reeds Brook facade project, ADA work at Wetherby and replacement or repair of HVAC units. That staff member said those inspections had not flagged neglect and that routine repairs and the ticketing system address maintenance issues. A speaker who read testimony from Eileen King, Deputy Executive Director of the Maine School Management Association, quoted the association's April 19 testimony to the Joint Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, saying, \"Schools are already required to use funds from an unallocated fund balance similar to any other night item for schools and education,\" and noted that the written testimony did not explicitly list building replacement as an example.

Legal question and follow-up: one commentator said voters or town councils might request a legal opinion to confirm whether the proposed transfer and reserve use for a replacement building is a permissible expenditure of excess fund balance. The meeting record shows proponents and the budget committee considered the action appropriate, but the comment signals some will seek formal legal guidance.

Outcome: Article 19 passed as recommended. The transfer of up to $1,610,000 from available fund balances to the administrative office replacement reserve fund is authorized by the vote.

Next steps: if the reserve receives the transfer, the school board may draw on that reserve per the guidelines voters approved; some town officials said they intend to seek legal clarification on permitted uses of the funds for a replacement building.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RSU 22 District Budget Mtg HA Gym June 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Article 19, establishing an administrative office replacement reserve fund and authorizing a transfer of up to $1,610,000 from available fund balances, passed after discussion over whether the expenditure is maintenance or construction.","taxTitle","RSU 22, School Districts, Maine","taxId",48420,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210876,"Voters approve special-education funding; district adds educational technicians and one teacher",119,1369000,1488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3704490-dcac007f8ebaa918c556ebefb762f741&start=1369&end=1488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3704490-dcac007f8ebaa918c556ebefb762f741/thumbnail_1369000.jpg","/articles/6210876/Maine/Voters-approve-special-education-funding-district-adds-educational-technicians-and-one-teacher","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210876-1bce4d0a5a2882359ce0d5808216701c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167531&Signature=m1z7qh6D9kqj9nZwp9Y9~kZ0J1FBX0xCCsfgKZ3R4RAAm7Ymp7wOtRaz8QpNcBDQu8qTBhLUaU-Un4K8TUDwXNhN-4WWUIvB-Y2UMAvs7vypqSsXHPRnnG5nGhNbGxzkwB9RtqwKDQ4-SkNuXL5x2oomKETdc5Ceb6IOIwbSBvWN2kc88NJ-ciNgyULVcOvW6VFTXrFXLQLERB1RTJdhwe51vBYnil1bDvMF8HwazOomssdRqHXl1BQ2xMUrdeMRcLsJ17KBcC2XAsRKecX4l2LfE3YCNg7jb7i3RLIgVqNGLorynvqblr9Q1hraP2hafbzTLKmBNY8lAWfCdsGoYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Voters approved Article 2, authorizing RSU 22 to expend $9,641,929.57 for special-education instruction in the 2025'26 fiscal year.

What the appropriation covers: school staff said the request includes one special-education teacher identified as needed in the current year and four new educational technicians intended to serve incoming students who have been identified through child development services. Taken together, those changes represent a net gain of one position in the special-education staffing plan as presented at the meeting.

Discussion and staff explanation: a district staff member explained that the four new technicians are intended to provide services to students identified prior to school entry by child development services. The staff member said the district had assessed its current needs and adjusted personnel accordingly, describing the change as \"right sizing\" staff to match student needs and asserting that \"the services are not being cut.\"

Context: meeting materials and presenters noted projected enrollment is essentially flat for the coming year (a net increase of about two students cited in the presentation). Board and staff said the staffing request responds to student needs identified through pre-school screening and current caseloads rather than an across-the-board increase in services.

Outcome: Article 2 passed as printed. The district will proceed with hiring or reallocating staff consistent with the positions described in the warrant materials and the explanations given at the meeting.","Article 2 passed to fund special-education instruction for 2025'26. The approved appropriation funds one identified special-education teacher and four new educational technician positions the district says are needed for incoming students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210881,"RSU 22 voters approve $40.8 million budget for 2025–26, including negotiated staff raises",789,1925000,2714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3704490-dcac007f8ebaa918c556ebefb762f741&start=1925&end=2714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3704490-dcac007f8ebaa918c556ebefb762f741/thumbnail_1925000.jpg","/articles/6210881/Maine/RSU-22-voters-approve-408-million-budget-for-202526-including-negotiated-staff-raises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210881-4af437d9b9d80ac661b0099559c75f04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167531&Signature=L5wxE3pI414oFPJePKN~4N-jWRxcG1sJXuYqWpMbR5yYUBy2jJ5GXIX7WxifBuofknr8-VH1SenYMk7TXws1QzksLT-i1ys28MLJRI9dkGwVaRdB9q4VDd~aeUUFyS0ICQfG1TXMUGuT1sL2Wn3WJcFcaaJ2jLIpg0nHfwMzOAxh0OhmekRla76HMcfHp6RFgCcNqwM7V86bBfeId9U0fCoa-aTRfonsjywvgOOc8B2hOw8TRWhKLGemhllSSXnnMwYtNXuKvyzfDhbfKsQLJgzXHwr3WPcSy1xDIXZZcUkwTZew628WOUotRwsOPemv3OelYOxTISchPcpw8uMR9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RSU 22 voters approved the district'wide spending plan for the 2025'26 fiscal year, adopting the school board's recommended budget that sets total appropriations and local contributions to support pre-kindergarten through grade 12 programs.

The board of directors recommended total appropriations of $31,271,680.72 under the state's Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding model and asked the district to raise $9,694,425 locally to qualify for that state subsidy. In addition, voters approved a locally funded budget the board recommended at $40,783,924.15 to cover items not fully supported by the EPS model, including athletics, co-curricular programs, transportation and special education.

Why it matters: the vote determines town-by-town tax assessments and sets staffing and services for the next school year. The adopted package includes negotiated salary increases for staff and a substantial rise in wages and benefits compared with the prior year.

Most important facts: the warrant materials presented the EPS appropriation as $31,271,680.72 and showed the district needs to raise $9,694,425 to receive the state subsidy. The school board also recommended raising $6,822,778.24 in additional local funds to cover program areas outside the EPS allocation. The budget documents and meeting presentation showed wages and benefits increased by $1,853,757 over the previous year and noted a negotiated teacher salary increase described in the meeting as \"7 plus percent.\" The school board recommended total spending (all sources) of $40,783,924.15 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

During voting, the moderator announced a tally of 42 votes cast with 37 in favor for the principal appropriation vote. The meeting record shows multiple warrant articles passed as printed, including the EPS appropriation and the locally raised amounts.

Discussion highlights: board and staff presentation materials emphasized enrollment projections that were essentially flat for the coming year and the district's negotiated salary increases. Questions from voters focused on the size of the wage increase, the district's fund balance, and the relationship between state EPS calculations and locally requested funding. Budget committee members and other speakers urged caution about using one-time fund balance to reduce taxes every year; one budget committee speaker said, \"We don't wanna do that again,\" arguing against repeatedly drawing down reserves to lower assessments.

What passed: voters approved the EPS appropriation ($31,271,680.72), the locally required raise to obtain state subsidy ($9,694,425), additional local funds ($6,822,778.24), and the school board's recommended total operating budget of $40,783,924.15. Multiple related warrant articles authorizing transfers to reserve funds and accepting federal and state grants also passed as printed.

Looking ahead: the adopted budget locks in the district's staffing and program choices for the 2025'26 year and sets the town assessments that will appear on the municipal tax rate calculations. The district will also be able to expend federal and state grants during the year as those funds are accepted, subject to the conditions voters approved.","Voters at the RSU 22 district budget meeting approved the school unit's 2025–26 budget and related warrant articles, including the essential programs and services appropriation, locally raised funds and negotiated wage increases for staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Voters approve $1.61 million transfer to create administrative office replacement reserve after debate

Voters approve special-education funding; district adds educational technicians and one teacher

RSU 22 voters approve $40.8 million budget for 2025–26, including negotiated staff raises