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MSAD 54 superintendent outlines FY27 budget; Skowhegan local share to rise about 1.998%
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Summary
Superintendent John Moody told the Skowhegan Select Board the MSAD 54 proposed FY27 budget is up about 4.78% overall, with a local impact of roughly 1.998% for Skowhegan and a $3,242,000 additional local amount above the state formula; a cost-sharing referendum will appear on the ballot.
Superintendent John Moody of MSAD 54 presented the school district’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget to the Skowhegan Select Board on April 28, saying the overall district budget is up about 4.78% and the local share for Skowhegan is projected to rise roughly 1.998%.
Moody said the district faces rising personnel and insurance costs (insurance rose about 10.41% and accounted for roughly $830,000 in this year’s budget), higher mandated benefits and EdTech minimum-wage impacts, and increased special-education and transportation reimbursements. He told the board the district currently expects an additional local amount above the state funding formula of $3,242,000 and noted that roughly 60¢ of every education dollar comes from state or other funds while about 40¢ is local.
“Over the last eight years, our budget’s up 2.145% locally,” Moody said. “This year, the local piece is up 1.998%.” He described the budget as largely “status quo,” with limited new items and a focus on shifting staff as enrollment fluctuates. Moody emphasized increased use of grants and partnerships — now more than 10% of district spending — and said the district has improved efficiencies, reduced debt service and leveraged state funding for career-technical education so some costs pass through without local impact.
Moody also walked the board through a proposed cost‑sharing ballot item that would phase-in a change in how towns’ valuations are weighted (a multi-year shift from the district’s historical 100% valuation). He said that change would lower Skowhegan’s immediate local contribution in the example he presented and that the ballot measure, if passed across the district, would affect how the additional local amount is apportioned among member towns.
Why it matters: the select board and voters will see two related items on town ballots — the school budget and a cost‑sharing referendum — and the local tax impact depends on state valuation changes and the final outcome of the referendum. Superintendent Moody urged residents to review handouts and use a QR code he distributed to submit feedback before town meeting.
Moody’s presentation and supporting handouts were provided to the Select Board and are available for public review; he invited residents to call with questions about the warrant articles and the district’s long-term planning.
