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Marshwood board approves 2026–27 budget, adds funds for AP exams and athletics
Summary
The Marshwood (MSAD 35/RSU 35) school board voted unanimously to adopt its recommended 2026–27 budget, reallocating savings to fully cover AP exam fees and to add limited athletic-team flexibility while noting key cost drivers such as an 8.71% health-insurance increase and $725,707 in contractual salary increases.
The Marshwood School Board voted 4-0 to approve the district's recommended fiscal year 2026–27 budget and will present that budget at the district budget meeting in May. The approval came after a detailed reading of a community letter that outlined enrollment trends, cost drivers and strategic investments.
The board chair, who presented the recommended budget, said the plan was built after multiple public workshops and was designed to “sustain the excellence of MSAD 35 and thoughtfully respond to the changing needs of our students and our schools.” The chair emphasized that the document would be posted on the district website and distributed to town offices ahead of the budget meeting.
Why it matters: the budget consolidates base adjustments and strategic investments while addressing three main cost drivers identified by district staff: an 8.71% increase in health-insurance premiums (lower than an earlier 10% projection), contractual salary increases that total about $725,707 across roughly 400 employees, and a rise in students requiring special-education services. To respond, the recommended budget prioritizes targeted supports and some staffing realignments rather than across-the-board cuts.
Key changes and investments announced by the board included increased world-language offerings, expanded technology and hands-on learning at the high school, more math-intervention support, investments in an outdoor play space at the middle school, replacement of high-mileage vans, and enhancements to athletic support. The board also added $12,104 to the budget to provide flexibility to field additional sports teams if participation demands exceed capacity; that funding is not restricted to any single sport.
One equity-focused decision: after a student representative, Zora, highlighted AP exam costs as a barrier, the board agreed to add $30,000 to fully cover Advanced Placement exam fees for all students who take AP courses. The chair said the allocation was intended to eliminate financial barriers to college-level coursework.
On savings and reallocations: the district had initially budgeted for a 10% health-insurance increase but received final rates from the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust showing an 8.71% increase, yielding a savings of $42,104. The board reallocated those savings to the athletic flexibility and AP exam coverage without changing the total proposed budget.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the 2026–27 budget 4-0; it also voted 4-0 to call and approve warrants for the budget meeting and the budget validation referendum and approved several personnel motions (see below).
Next steps: the approved budget will be presented at the district budget meeting and included in the official warrant and meeting packet.
