MSAD 60 board reviews preliminary $52.465 million budget, fund balances and tax impact estimates

MSAD 60 board members reviewed a preliminary budget proposal of $52,465,000 at a March 12 workshop, with staff and finance leaders highlighting the district's revenue mix, fund-balance strategy and projected tax impacts.

Denise, the district's finance lead, said the first-round proposal for fiscal 2027 totaled $52,465,000 in expenses and walked board members through projected fund balances and planned uses. "The first round we proposed was $52,465,000 in expenses," Denise said. She told the board the district's estimated general-fund balance at June 30, 2025, was about $2.2 million, with an unassigned balance near $2.1 million. Staff proposed using roughly $445,000 of that balance to cover several facilities projects, leaving an estimated $1.7 million unassigned.

The board heard a breakdown of the school-nutrition and adult-education funds as well. Denise said the nutrition fund had an estimated balance of $872,000 at June 30, 2025; proposed use of one-time purchases would reduce that to roughly $523,000. Adult-education and other fund balances and proposed uses were also reviewed.

Staff explained revenue assumptions that support the draft budget, including state subsidy (ED279) estimates and projections for high-cost out-of-district special-education placements. The presentation noted tuition for career-and-technical placements at Sanford Regional Technical Center would rise if the district increases its students there from about 110 to as many as 124 next year.

Finance staff provided illustrative tax impacts on a $100,000 home: preliminary estimates were $99.56 in Berwick, $91.72 in Lebanon and $60.52 in North Berwick — figures staff described as approximate and dependent on final state subsidy and town valuations.

Debt-service and facilities spending were covered: the district's buildings are largely paid off, so the debt-service line is minimal now, though the section remains for future state-approved projects. Staff noted the district is beginning repayment on several recently closed bonds and will provide amortization schedules at a later date.

Board members asked for a simple spreadsheet that translates percentage targets into dollar reductions so members can see exactly how much must be cut to reach specific tax-increase goals. The board penciled in additional budget-workshop time and asked staff to return with more detailed visuals and bond amortization data before the April decision deadline.

Next steps: staff will circulate the requested spreadsheets and amortization schedules, and the board plans follow-up budget workshops leading to a formal vote in April.