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RSU 28/MSAD 28 presents FY27 requested budget: 3.93% expense increase, 5.48% taxpayer impact
Summary
The district presented its FY27 requested budget with a 3.93% increase in expenses and a projected 5.48% rise in taxpayer assessments; key drivers include health‑insurance budgeting, windows/siding capital work, enrollment shifts and a planned $600,000 capital‑reserve transfer warrant article.
The RSU 28 / MSAD 28 board received a detailed FY27 budget presentation Wednesday that projects a 3.93% increase in total expenses and a 5.48% increase in taxpayer assessments, with town‑by‑town differences driven by pupil counts and property valuation.
The presenter summarized the numbers: "The expense increase is 3.93% and the taxpayer increase at 5.48%." The budget assumes health insurance cost increases budgeted at 10% (presenter cited roughly $213,000), a phase‑one windows and siding project in the coming summer (about $120,000 added to the budget), and the planned elimination of a small number of one‑year positions and one English position. Enrollment at the high school was 739 in October 2025, projected to fall to 704 next year, which informed staffing and revenue assumptions.
Revenue and town impacts: The presenter explained how the state formula (pupil count and property valuation) determines town shares. Estimated homeowner impact per $100,000 of assessed value: Apple +$29.79, Camden +$103.87, Hope +$66.28, Lincolnville +$67.25 and Rockport +$45.12. The district expects a net loss of roughly $120,000 in state subsidy tied mainly to decreases in Rockport and Hope due to relative pupil‑count and valuation shifts.
Warrant articles and capital planning: The board will propose several warrant articles, including authorization to transfer up to $600,000 from unexpended balances to the capital reserve and to expend up to $300,000 (the presentation said $135,000 is planned spending next year). The district also plans a warrant to authorize up to $75,000 from the special education reserve for unanticipated private placements and to raise $62,150 for the school nutrition program.
Why it matters: The budget balances capital needs (facilities, intercom replacement, propane tank purchase, truck/tractor lease) and operating costs (staffing, benefits) while attempting to rebuild capital reserves. Voters will see the warrant language and vote in the June referendum; the board will hold public input and select‑board sessions in March and a public input meeting on May 11.
Next steps: The requested budget will be reviewed with select boards in March, the board will vote on the requested budget in April and the referendum vote will occur in June. Administrators said they will continue to refine assumptions as state subsidy figures are finalized.
