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SAU41 board authorizes up to $85,000 from unassigned fund balance amid new state law concerns
Summary
Facing a projected $78,115 year‑end shortfall, SAU41 approved spending up to $85,000 from its unassigned fund balance to cover anticipated deficits; board members discussed a pending state bill (House Bill 564) that could force return of unassigned SAU funds to member towns.
SAU41 governing board members voted to authorize the expenditure of up to $85,000 from the SAU’s unassigned fund balance to cover an anticipated year‑end deficit estimated at about $78,115.
At the public hearing that preceded deliberations, the business administrator described key drivers of the projected deficit: approximately $40,000 tied to overlap costs for the technology coordinator transition, roughly $4,000 for mentoring/consulting, and roughly $36,000 of a previously authorized $50,000 set aside for the SoftDocs implementation. Revenue changes also contributed; a previously anticipated $4,000 indirect federal revenue allocation was not realized in the SAU budget model.
Board discussion considered whether to delay a vote while awaiting action on a pending state measure, House Bill 564, which board members said would require returning unassigned SAU funds to towns unless spent; members noted the bill might be signed imminently. Some members advocated waiting for the bill’s final status; others favored authorizing the limited expenditure now for identified operating shortfalls. The board approved the expenditure.
Separately, the three towns’ votes on the SAU FY27 warrant article failed overall (combined total recorded in the meeting: 895 in favor, 1,026 opposed). The board formally accepted the results. Members discussed operational implications of the failed budget and explored whether district‑level spending and encumbrances could be adjusted before any legislative change took effect.
