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RSU 28/MSAD 28 proposes 3.93% budget increase; taxpayers face 5.48% average rise with town‑by‑town variation
Summary
The district’s requested FY27 budget would raise expenses 3.93% and increase taxpayer assessments 5.48%. Officials attributed part of the change to a nearly $120,000 state subsidy loss tied to town pupil counts and proposed warrant articles that will appear on the June referendum.
RSU 28/MSAD 28 officials presented the district's requested FY27 budget, saying total expenses would rise 3.93% while the overall taxpayer assessment would increase 5.48. Maria, the presenter, said the district is "coming in a little bit under the target" of 4% on expenses.
The district plans to fund a set of capital and operating needs while boosting reserves. Maria said the budget assumes a nearly $120,000 reduction in state subsidy, primarily driven by changes in pupil counts and local property valuations in Rockport and Hope; she told the board, "It is mostly due to numbers of students." The district is also expecting $74,000 more in tuition payments from other school units and nearly $120,000 more in SAD administrative‑services revenue.
Why towns see different outcomes: Maria explained the state’s EPS formula uses both pupil counts (expected contribution) and property valuations (ability to pay). She said Camden is a "minimum receiver" under the formula, so pupil‑count shifts — not valuation growth — explain why Camden’s share rises sharply. Projected town assessment changes in the requested budget are Appleton +3.3%, Camden +7.4%, Hope +7.7%, Lincolnville +6.6%, and Rockport +2.7%.
Maria gave the homeowner impact per $100,000 of assessed value: Appleton $29.79, Camden $103.87, Hope $66.28, Lincolnville $67.25, Rockport $45.12. She emphasized these per‑household figures reflect the district’s calculations and the state subsidy formula.
Budget priorities and reserves: The district is beginning a phase‑one siding and windows project that adds about $120,000 to the budget and plans to replace the intercom system ($160,000 total; $80,000 local and $80,000 from the capital reserve). The presentation also proposes transferring up to $600,000 from unexpended balances into the capital reserve; Maria said planned capital spending next year would include roughly $135,000 from the reserve.
Warrant articles and timeline: The presentation listed several warrant articles the board will consider placing before voters: authorization to transfer up to $600,000 to the capital reserve and permit expenditures up to $300,000; authority to expend up to $75,000 from the special‑education reserve for unexpected private placements; a school nutrition article to raise $62,150; and an article to permit transfers among cost centers exceeding 5% of any cost center appropriation. Maria said the board will review changes at the March meeting, is expected to vote on the requested budget in April, holds a public input meeting May 11, and will place the budget for a June referendum vote.
What’s next: The board will email referendum and meeting dates to select boards and the public. The requested budget is scheduled for a board vote in April and referendum in June; warrant articles described in the presentation will be finalized for that referendum.
