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Paine Mountain $25.6 million budget falls on Australian ballot amid public concern over steep increases
Summary
Voters considered a $25,627,305 Paine Mountain School District budget that the board said would raise per-pupil spending to $13,581 (a 15.6% increase). Public comment and the recorded ballot tallies left the measure without a majority as transcribed.
Voters in the Paine Mountain School District considered a proposed $25,627,305 budget for the coming fiscal year on March 4, 2025. The district estimated per-pupil education spending under the plan at $13,581, a 15.6% increase from the current year.
During the meeting portion before the Australian ballot, resident Winston Chambers criticized the increase and questioned the savings expected from combining the two school districts. Chambers said he was "concerned about the increase to the school budget of 12.8%" and added, "these numbers are not sustainable." Paine Mountain School Board Chair Jessica Van Deren responded that changes in state funding shifted a larger share of costs to the district, saying, "the State changed the way funding is which leads to Paine Mountain having to absorb a larger percent than from previous years."
The transcript of the ballot results records 550 votes for "Yes" and a recorded "No" count shown as ".583" (interpreted in the official tally as 583). As transcribed, the tallies indicate the budget measure did not receive a majority of yes votes. The ballot was conducted by Australian ballot; polls were open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Moderator Heather King adjourned the school meeting portion at about 10:15 a.m. There were no further questions recorded for the Paine Mountain School District board at the meeting.
