RSU 52 board adopts FY26 budget; rejects bids to restore high‑school science teacher and to cut K–3 devices

The Board of Directors for School Administrative District No. 15 on Thursday approved the administration’s recommended fiscal year 2026 budget after the board rejected several last‑minute amendments.

The superintendent told the board that the district’s health‑insurance renewal came in at 12.9%, adding about $138,000 to the preliminary budget, while workmen’s‑compensation rates fell by roughly $67,500. To keep town tax increases near the board’s guidance of “below 8%,” the superintendent recommended eliminating one currently unfilled high‑school science teacher position; that recommendation remained in the final budget the board adopted.

Why it matters: The rejection of amendments means the district will proceed with the administration’s mix of reductions and carryover assumptions. Board members who opposed eliminating the science position warned the change would reduce elective offerings — for example, the forestry elective and some engineering and forensics sections would run with fewer sections — and could mean larger…