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RSU 14 superintendent: budget up 12.75% driven by new middle school debt, salary adjustments and pre-K expansion
Summary
Superintendent Chris Howell told voters RSU 14's proposed 12.75% budget increase is primarily driven by middle school construction debt, negotiated salary increases to reach Cumberland County averages and a state-subsidized pre-K expansion; voters heard public comment before proceeding to article votes.
Good evening. My name is Chris Howell, and I'm the superintendent of schools for RSU 14, he said as he opened the district's public budget meeting on May 14, 2025 in the Windham High School auditorium.
Howell summarized the district's proposed 12.75% increase for fiscal 2025-26, saying the largest drivers are the new middle school debt service, negotiated salary increases and a pre-K expansion. He told attendees the board began reviewing the budget in March and April, that the administrative budget work began in October and November, and that the amount approved at the meeting will be placed on the June 10 referendum.
The superintendent showed the budget breakdown: the middle school construction increased the district's debt service by about $3,800,000, of which Howell said roughly $3,400,000 is expected to be reimbursed by the state, leaving a local…
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