RSU 18 board adopts $47,157,904.19 FY27 budget; members urge unified community outreach

The RSU 18 school board voted unanimously to adopt a $47,157,904.19 fiscal year 2027 budget after a presentation by the superintendent that revised health-insurance and wage projections and showed town-by-town tax impacts.

The superintendent said updated insurance numbers allowed the administration to cut $142,866 from an earlier projection and presented a final proposed total of $47,157,904.19, which represents roughly a 3.5% year-over-year increase. He noted the cut reduced the previously projected 10% insurance increase and described the result as “a really lean budget.”

The district presented estimated impacts by town: Belgrade (2.4%), China (4.3%), Oakland (about 6.7%), Rome (4.1%) and Sidney (7.9%). The superintendent also gave an estimated impact per $100,000 of assessed value and noted the median home value in Kennebec County is about $320,000.

Board members commended central office and the administration for what several described as careful, collaborative work on benefits and contractual assumptions. Sarah (board member) called the budget “very balanced” and urged continued scrutiny of benefit projections; another board member said the package was the best budget they had seen in years.

Chris moved to adopt the FY27 budget in the amount of $47,157,904.19; Andy seconded. During debate several members said a unanimous vote would help the board present a united message to the district’s towns. The board called the question and the motion carried unanimously.

The superintendent said administrators will post updated budget materials online and provide the presentation to town leadership, and he offered to attend town meetings to explain the budget. Next procedural steps include the district budget meeting and town-level voting as required by local statute and practice.