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Saco School Board forwards proposed FY budget to city council; construction and transportation needs highlighted
Summary
The Saco School Board voted 5-0 April 29 to forward the districtbudget to the City Council for a May 4 public hearing, while Superintendent Ray briefed the board on new-school construction, transportation planning and budgetary drivers including a 4.68% expenditure increase.
The Saco School Board voted 5-0 on April 29 to send its proposed fiscal-year budget to the City Council for a public hearing May 4, with Superintendent Ray urging continued coordination around transportation and the transition to two new school buildings.
The boardmotion to forward the budget was made by School Board Member Roach and seconded by School Board Member Richards; the motion passed by roll call vote. The proposal includes a districtwide expenditure increase of about 4.68 percent, more than $500,000 in capital improvements and an added $132,000 line for paid family medical leave, Ray said.
Ray said the districthas already recorded a local bond payment in this budget and that the school side saw an initial local payment of about $59,000 recorded in the budget. He said transportation planning will be a priority next year as the district opens two new schools and adjusts routes and staffing.
Board members discussed timing and next steps. Roach noted the City Council holds a public hearing on May 4 and a final vote is scheduled for May 11; the board said it will reconvene if council feedback requires changes before the election. "If the council comes back and says we need something one way or the other, then we'd come back," Ray said.
The boardalso received an update on the new elementary construction: Ray reported the project had been listed at roughly 16 percent complete in the construction memo and updated to about 17.9 percent as of the prior morning, with concrete and site grading moving toward wall steel in the coming weeks. He said administration staff and the owner's representative conduct biweekly site walks and requested board members coordinate visits with staff and the contractor and wear hard hats and vests on site.
What happens next: the City Council will hold its public hearing May 4 and is scheduled to vote May 11. Board members said they will monitor council feedback and call a special meeting if substantive changes are requested.
Votes and procedure: Motion to forward budget made by School Board Member Roach; seconded by School Board Member Richards; roll call vote 5-0 in favor.
