RSU 18 voters approve $47.16 million FY27 school budget after debate over special education, tech lease and traffic

Voters at a regional RSU 18 budget meeting approved the school unit's FY27 budget and a series of spending articles on hand and written ballots Wednesday, adopting the recommended $47,157,904.19 total budget and related appropriations.

The meeting, presided over by moderator Jim Israel, approved the district's required total cost of $35,793,347.53 and the municipal assessments of $20,340,695.52 by a hand count of 50 yes and 3 opposed. Voters also approved $9,756,607.87 in additional local funds by a hand count of 49 yes and 12 opposed. The overall budget article was adopted 51 in favor and 4 opposed.

Why spending rose: special education and municipal assessments Cheryl Mercia, the district's special education director, told the meeting that part of the increase in special-education spending reflects accounting and placement changes: the district now counts special-education students placed at Erskine Academy and two special-purpose private schools that require an Individualized Education Program (IEP). "This year, we have 40 kids coming in that already have an IEP in kindergarten," Mercia said, noting the shift in where and how those students are counted. The school board recommended $7,268,091.21 for special education; that article was adopted by voice vote.

Enrollment and consolidation questions A committee member identified as Sherry asked whether declining enrollments might prompt consolidation of buildings. The superintendent answered that the October 1 child-count totaled 2,554 and that, with average class sizes in the K–6 range near 17:1 and limited empty capacity at some schools (for example James Bean School is "pretty full"), the district is not positioned to consolidate buildings at this time.

Technology lease and carry-forward funds The meeting included questions about a roughly $500,000 technology line that a commenter had read as a carry-forward. The superintendent explained the amount funds a technology lease used to sustain an annual replacement cycle, saying it "avoids having artificial spikes in the budget" and is not a discretionary carry-forward. He also noted the budget includes $800,000 in carry-forward funds elsewhere on the revenue side intended to offset taxes.

Facilities and traffic concerns During discussion of the $6,186,806.75 facilities-management article, Sherry described severe morning and afternoon traffic congestion near the Williams Building and asked whether an earlier traffic study's recommendations were implemented. The moderator and superintendent said they would locate and share the prior study; no formal traffic action was taken and the facilities article passed by voice vote.

Other line items and votes Several operational line items passed with little or no discussion, including career and technical education ($0 recommended), other instruction ($956,679.32), student and staff support ($4,777,792.39), system administration ($1,092,217.78), school administration ($2,865,701.08), transportation and buses ($3,162,538.97), adult education ($70,553.89 with a $40,862.89 local share) and an authorization to expend grant and other receipts. The board recorded a variety of voice votes for these articles, and the clerk conducted hand counts where required by statute or for precision.

What happens next With the budget articles adopted at the meeting, the recommended FY27 appropriations and municipal assessments will stand as approved for the coming fiscal year unless further administrative steps are required under state law or the RSU 18 reorganization plan.

Votes at a glance: summary of article outcomes Article 1 (regular instruction): $20,848,076.69 — adopted (voice vote) Article 2 (special education): $7,268,091.21 — adopted (voice vote) Article 3 (career & technical education): $0 — adopted (voice vote) Article 4 (other instruction): $956,679.32 — adopted (voice vote) Article 5 (student & staff support): $4,777,792.39 — adopted (voice vote) Article 6 (system administration): $1,092,217.78 — adopted (voice vote) Article 7 (school administration): $2,865,701.08 — adopted (voice vote) Article 8 (transportation & buses): $3,162,538.97 — adopted (voice vote) Article 9 (facilities management): $6,186,806.75 — adopted (voice vote) Article 10 (debt service & other commitments): $0 — adopted (voice vote) Article 12 (total cost & assessments): $35,793,347.53 total; $20,340,695.52 assessed — adopted (hand count: 50 yes, 3 opposed) Article 13 (additional local funds): $9,756,607.87 — adopted (hand count: 49 yes, 12 opposed); includes $500,863.86 assessed to the town of China per the RSU 18 reorganization plan Article 14 (full budget summary): $47,157,904.19 — adopted (hand count: 51 yes, 4 opposed) Article 15 (adult education): $70,553.89 — adopted (voice vote) Article 16 (grant/other receipts authorization): adopted (voice vote)