RSU 40 projects about 1% annual enrollment decline; special-education share near 22%

At the RSU 40/MSAD 40 school board meeting on Dec. 19, 2026, an administrator presenting enrollment data told board members the district is likely to experience a gradual decline in student numbers of about 1% per year over the next decade, with implications for staffing and budgeting.

The facts: the district currently projects elementary (pre-K–6) enrollment falling from about 945 students to about 891 in 10 years (a decline of roughly 54 students); middle school (grades 7–8) from about 262 to about 238 (a decline of about 24 students); and high school (grades 9–12) from about 500 to about 484 (a decline of about 16 students). The presenter summarized the trend: "So overall, we're faced with this situation where, year by year, it's a pretty small decline of around 1% per year," the…