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Dorchester 2 budget presentation: $292.7 million proposed revenues, millage request aims to raise beginning teacher pay
Summary
At the May 19 meeting district staff reviewed a proposed FY2026 budget showing $292.7 million in projected revenues (an $8.6 million increase), a millage request presented to county council (7.6 mills in materials) and a goal to raise beginning teacher pay to $51,000 while including step increases and a 1% COLA for eligible staff.
On May 19 Dorchester School District 2 staff reviewed a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget that would include $292.7 million in projected revenues, described in the presentation as an $8.6 million increase over the current year. District presenters told the board those revenue estimates do not include a tax increase and said the district submitted a millage request to county council that was shown in the presentation as 7.6 mills to balance revenues and expenditures.
Ms. Meunier summarized the presentation to the board, outlining proposed revenue and expenditure assumptions and teacher salary comparisons with neighboring districts. The presentation said the district aims to raise beginning teacher pay to $51,000 next year if the millage request is approved, noted mandatory step increases for eligible teachers, and proposed a 1% cost-of-living adjustment for some classified and certified staff not paid on the teacher salary scale. Staff also described proposed district changes including increasing paid parental leave from six to 12 weeks and bringing certain content specialist positions back into the general fund.
Board members praised staff for finding savings while also warning that the county's funding mechanism is strained. Mr. Lee told the board the district had deferred more than $13.5 million in budget requests and urged the public to review the budget presentation and engage with county council about long-term funding.
The presentation did not represent a final adopted budget; it was reviewed in the public hearing and board members and staff said the district will proceed with local processes and further county council discussions before final adoption.
