Winslow Schools board reviews draft 2025–26 budget, cites insurance, SRO and fuel‑tariff uncertainties

The Winslow Schools board met in a special session to review the proposed first draft of the 2025–26 budget, which the district presenter described as roughly a $21 million request representing a 4.52% increase from the prior year. No final vote was taken; the board scheduled a workshop Thursday and plans to revisit the budget at its next regular meeting on the 20th.

The district finance lead (Director, S6) told board members that salaries and benefits make up the majority of fixed costs and that roughly 79–90% of the proposed budget is tied to those lines. “If you look at the salaries and benefits, you'll see the difference between FY25 and FY26,” the presenter said, noting contractual pay raises, step increases and ongoing negotiations with the teachers' and custodial groups as drivers of the change.

S6 also flagged several items that could materially affect the bottom line but are currently uncertain. The presenter said the district's current oil provider notified them it will charge a 10% tariff on any remaining deliveries this year—a cost that is not budgeted. Insurance costs were described as the other major unknown: the district included a 10% placeholder in the draft but said final rates could range much higher and would not be known until April. The school resource officer (SRO) salary is also being negotiated with the town and is likely to increase; the district expects to cover about 75% of the SRO's salary but said the fiscal effect depends on the town negotiation.

The presentation included several items the district expects to reduce pressure on the local levy. S6 pointed to savings from a solar project that reduced electricity costs (about $10,000 at the high school and elementary school and a smaller amount at the junior high this year), reductions from unfilled retired positions and a projected increase in tuition revenue—driven largely by out‑of‑district tuition from neighboring Bassborough students—that raised the tuition line substantially versus last year.

On staffing, the presenter said the district restructured a previously planned shared technology role after the partner district could not fund it and is proposing higher substitute pay to reflect legislative changes that affect EdTech wages. One EdTech position (EdTech 2) was noted as a possible cut after the incumbent left and the district said it may repurpose substitute funds to cover those duties.

The district finance lead walked the board through revenue assumptions: state subsidy and shared‑service revenues, a rise in tuition receipts, and a remaining undesignated fund balance to help cover the ask. S6 summarized that, after those revenues and balances, the district’s local ask is actually slightly lower than last year—about $59,859 less, or roughly a 0.63% decrease—but cautioned that the insurance and SRO outcomes could change that picture.

Board members pressed for clarity on how the proposed budget would affect the mill rate; presenters and members agreed the net impact would be relatively small in current assumptions, though they emphasized the district remains exposed to the uncertainties listed above. Members also discussed reliance on federal Title funds and the potential statewide and national budget risks if those funds were reduced.

No formal budget vote occurred during the session because several state and insurance figures were still pending. Chair (S5) moved to adjourn at the meeting's close; the motion was seconded and approved. The board will hold a workshop Thursday and reconvene at its next regular meeting on the 20th to continue deliberations.

Ending: The draft remains under review; key follow ups are the final insurance rates (due in April), the town’s SRO negotiation outcome and any confirmed tariffs or fuel cost changes before the board votes on a final budget.