RSU 52 board adopts $39.18 million FY27 budget, trims two unfilled positions to reduce tax impact

The RSU 52 Board of Directors voted to adopt the district’s final fiscal year 2027 budget, approving a $39,181,450 spending plan that administration said represents a 4.86 percent increase over the prior year.

Administration walked the board through changes made since the preliminary proposal: the addition of a high‑school social‑studies teacher and one subscription (about $77,967), a clarified insurance rate of 11.43 percent that allowed a $132,889 reduction, scaled‑back facilities projects and reductions to some instructional material lines. The superintendent told the board that two unfilled positions — a regular‑education intervention EdTech‑2 at TEES and a district float custodian — could be removed to lower the increase. Removing both lines, administration said, reduced the budget by $124,563 and brought the projected town‑average increase down to roughly 4.8 percent.

Board members debated the merits of eliminating those unfilled positions. One member voiced fiscal concern about the tax burden and said they would not support the budget; that board member said, “I will not be supporting this budget.” The board nonetheless approved the eliminations and then took the final budget vote.

The board also approved by motion the district’s lists of created positions (multiple special‑education and other roles, many funded by state PreK or by need) and eliminated positions (including several intervention EdTech‑3 roles and two districtwide bus driver vacancies), moving personnel changes forward alongside the budget.

In procedural votes, the board authorized the warrant and public‑notice documents needed to call a budget validation referendum (scheduled by administration for May 21 at town offices) and separately approved placing a land‑purchase question on the local ballot. Administration said signatures and final paperwork would be completed after the meeting to finalize election logistics.

What the board approved - Adopted FY27 budget: $39,181,450 (board‑reported figure after adjustments). - Eliminated two unfilled positions (regular‑ed intervention EdTech‑2 at TEES and float custodian), reducing the budget by $124,563. - Approved lists of created positions (multiple special‑education teachers, PreK special‑education staff, science and social‑studies hires at the high school, and other roles) and eliminated positions as presented. - Authorized warrants and notices for the budget validation referendum and a separate land purchase referendum to be placed on the ballot.

Next steps and context Administration said the district’s budget meeting is scheduled for May 7 at the high school and reiterated the validation referendum on May 21; the board authorized sending the required notices. The superintendent and staff will finalize paperwork and signatures after the meeting.

Board members and administration also signaled an intent to continue reviewing staffing, substitute usage and facilities priorities as the district implements the FY27 plan.