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RSU 04 budget hearing: board outlines FY2026–27 appropriation; Article 13 passes 26–6 on written ballot
Summary
RSU 04 held its public budget meeting; the board presented cost centers, answered resident questions and the voters approved multiple warrant articles including Article 13 (additional local funds) on a written lilac ballot 26‑yes to 6‑no. The total appropriation (Article 14) was carried after a motion lowering the proposed amount.
RSU 04 officials walked the public through warrant articles for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, then took votes on each article. Superintendent Marco Aliberta presented each cost center, described service and staffing changes, and answered residents’ questions before the board voted on the motions.
Board introductions and moderator election: Board members introduced themselves by name and town. The assembly nominated Randy Greenwood as moderator; nominations closed and Greenwood was sworn in.
Budget overview and key items: Aliberta said the district’s recommended budget increases a modest 1.57% from last year and highlighted investments including a new K–4 STEM/Unified Arts program, a 1:1 iPad rollout for K–12, a new ELA curriculum for K–8, and the Libby Tozier secure vestibule SRRF project. He said four positions were reduced overall to help contain the tax impact.
Article-by-article actions and notable debates: The meeting proceeded article by article. Article 1 (regular instruction, $8,212,299) and Article 2 (special education) were described and carried after public questions about staffing and contractual increases. Article 3 (career & technical education) covers RSU payments to Lewiston Regional Technical Center and was carried. Article 4 (other instruction, athletics and co‑curriculars) drew extended public discussion and an amendment: an attendee moved to reduce the article by $25,000 to keep field hockey in the rec program rather than moving it into the middle‑school program; the amendment passed and the amended main motion carried.
Other cost centers approved: Articles covering student and staff support, system administration, school administration, transportation (noted savings from an in‑house bus garage lease and a multi‑year fuel contract), facilities maintenance, debt service (zero), and other expenditures (zero) all carried following brief explanations.
Written ballot and count: Article 13 — the amount of additional local funds above the state EPS allocation — required a written lilac ballot. Moderator Greenwood called for ballots; when counted the result was 32 voters present, 26 yes and 6 no; the motion carried.
Article 14 set the overall local appropriation for FY2026–27. A motion adjusted the recommended amount downward to $23,474,794; the motion carried. Subsequent articles approved funding for school nutrition, adult education, grant acceptance authority, a $150,000 capital reserve transfer, and a $50,000 special education reserve for unanticipated out‑of‑district placements, each after discussion. Board members and residents debated fund balance strategy and the sufficiency of reserve amounts for expensive out‑of‑district special education placements; administration reported an audited fund balance just under $1.3 million and said the reserve accounts are intended to smooth costs and prioritize student needs.
Logistics and next steps: Superintendent Aliberta reminded voters that the referendum will be held June 9, with absentee ballots available beginning the next day at municipal town offices (Litchfield, Sabatus and Wales) and provided polling locations and hours. The meeting adjourned after completing the warrant items.
Votes at a glance: most articles passed by voice vote; Article 13 passed by written ballot (26 yes, 6 no). Several articles specified dollar amounts in the transcript; the total appropriation discussed in Article 14 was moved to $23,474,794 during the meeting.
