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RSU 51 board hears FY2026 draft budget: $54.0M proposed, enrollment and salaries drive most of the increase
Summary
District leaders presented a $54,005,939 recommended FY2026 budget — a 7.47% increase — citing enrollment growth, salary and benefits changes, and a $1.2M state subsidy increase; next steps include public hearings in April and a referendum in June.
Superintendent Jeff Porter (presenting) and finance staff walked the RSU 51/MSAD 51 board through a draft FY2026 budget on March 6 that asks the board to consider a $54,005,939 gross budget — up $3,755,832 or 7.47% from FY2025 — with salaries and benefits driving the vast majority of the increase.
Key figures presented: a recommended gross budget of $54,005,939; a proposed expenditure increase of $3,755,832 (7.47%); an expected state subsidy increase of about $1,200,000; district enrollment reported at 2,234 students; and 435 regular staff on the payroll. The presenter said roughly 73.7% of budgeted expenditures would go directly to instruction, above the reported state average of 68%.
District leadership framed the budget around strategic priorities and changing conditions. The proposal…
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