Sebago voters approve FY2025–26 school spending plan after debate over Lakes Region tuition

Sebago voters gathered May 7 approved the Sebago School Department’s fiscal year 2025–26 spending plan and a suite of warrant articles after a presentation by Superintendent Lucas Gazinski and a line-by-line consideration of cost centers.

Gazinski told voters the overall proposed increase is $268,446, or 5.32 percent, and said most of that growth is driven by tuition paid to Lakes Region: “73.75% of the increase is due to tuition at Lakes Region,” he said, citing projected per‑pupil rates of $14,584 for grades K–8 and $17,557 for high school next year. He said the district is in year seven of a 10‑year Lakes Region contract and that renegotiation will be necessary when the contract comes up for renewal.

The budget presentation reviewed enrollment (222 students reported on Oct. 1, projected to 223), staffing (about 26 full‑time and 10 part‑time employees) and cost‑center allocations, with regular instruction and special education comprising the largest shares of spending. Gazinski called out several other cost drivers, including higher employee benefits and contracted special‑education services such as speech and language pathology, and proposed expanding the social worker from three to four days (estimated at $13,457).

To offset some new costs, the district plans to eliminate a part‑time gifted‑and‑talented position that served two students and shift those services to a team model under a newly certified curriculum director, a change Gazinski said would serve more students across academic and arts areas.

During question-and-answer the meeting clarified that tuition and special‑education placements account for major increases and that some out‑of‑district students require verification of residency. Gazinski said the district has worked to negotiate contested special‑education charges with Lakes Region and to verify student residency to ensure accurate billing and state subsidy calculations.

Voters then considered and approved the budget articles individually. Article 15 (additional local funds to exceed the state model) was decided by written ballot and passed 21–5; other articles were passed by voice or show‑of‑cards. The moderator explained the town holds a two‑step process this year: the assembled voters approve the warrant articles at the meeting, and a secret‑ballot referendum on June 10 will allow town voters to affirm or reject what was approved tonight.

The meeting ended after passing routine authorizations to accept grant funds, use any excess state education subsidy, permit transfers between cost centers, and allow limited draws on capital and unanticipated‑cost reserves. Moderator Greg M. thanked the ballot clerks and adjourned the session.

What happens next: The budget items approved at the May 7 meeting will appear on a June 10 secret‑ballot referendum; if town voters reject the referendum, the consequences will follow statutory procedures for that outcome.