MSAD 35 voters approve $40.68 million budget; written ballot on local add-on passes 222-25

Voters at the Marshwood school budget meeting on May 11, 2026 approved the school board's recommended FY2027 budget, authorizing a total appropriation of $40,677,275 and passing the required additional local funding (Article 13) by written ballot, 222 to 25 among 267 registered voters present.

Superintendent Heidi Early Hershy presented the board's recommended budget and said the $1,687,693 overall increase is driven primarily by contractual wage increases, an 8.71% rise in health insurance costs reported by the MEA benefits trust, and required expansions in special-education staffing. "I'm proud to present the school board's recommended budget for fiscal year 2027," Hershy said, and summarized that removing health-insurance and special-education personnel increases would leave a smaller net increase of $957,693 (about 2.45%).

Why it matters: The packet funds day-to-day instruction and services while responding to rising benefit costs and legally required supports for students with disabilities. The budget funds eight new educational technician positions in special education (roughly $400,000 within the special-education article) and pays for contractual salary increases the district said range from about 3% to 3.8% depending on agreements. The district also noted local tax impacts will vary by town: the projected school-related tax increase is about 6.8% for South Burwick and roughly 1.43% for Elliot, driven largely by changes in property valuations.

Key votes and process: The meeting proceeded article-by-article as the moderator read each warrant article and a board member moved and seconded the article to put it on the floor for debate. Most expenditure articles (Articles 1—11 and 14—16) were debated briefly by a board member and then carried by voice/card vote. Article 13, which raises $8,816,942 in additional local funds beyond the state allocation, was conducted by written ballot; the moderator and clerks explained the voting procedure before ballots were cast. The moderator announced 267 voters registered, 247 ballots cast, and a result of 222 yes, 25 no; Article 13 carried.

Major allocations and changes: The package authorizes: - $17,388,993 for regular instruction (Article 1); board said the article includes gifted and English-language-learner programs and showed a reported 3.06% increase. - $7,996,316 for special education (Article 2), an 8.54% increase that includes funding for eight additional educational technicians (~$400,000). - $100,750 for career and technical education (Article 3); the district will stop sending newly enrolled students to the Dover program because of cost (cited as exceeding $5,000 per student) and schedule conflicts; most students use the Sanford Regional Technical Center. - Amounts for co-curricular/extracurricular programs, transportation, facilities, administration, adult education, and a contingency fund as enumerated across Articles 4—11 and 15—16.

Public comment and concerns: Lisa McInness of Elliot spoke during the floor open for Article 12 and criticized what she described as high administrative salaries in the district and low statewide rankings for education, urging that raises be tied to merit. The moderator allowed the comment as within the meeting's scope; no formal rebuttal or correction was offered during the meeting.

Next steps: The moderator said the budget validation vote (referendum) will take place June 9 at the usual voting offices; that second-step vote will confirm the action taken by the meeting. The moderator adjourned the session by unanimous consent.

(Quotations and attributions use speaker names and roles as recorded at the meeting.)