SKOWHEGAN — Voters have approved School Administrative District 54’s proposed $32.33 million budget for the coming school year.

The overall budget, passed Tuesday, is up 4.3 percent, or about $1.3 million, from the current year’s budget. Spending from taxation for the coming school year is up about $469,000, or 3.5 percent.

“All of the articles passed overwhelmingly. We were done in 20 minutes,” Superintendent Brent Colbry said Wednesday. “The board and I are very pleased with the support.”

Taxpayers in each district town will see property taxes rise various amounts in the coming year. The owner of a $100,000 home would see the following increases:

• Canaan: $48

• Cornville: $63

• Mercer: $31.40

• Norridgewock: $51.88

• Skowhegan: $23.62

• Smithfield: $38

Colbry said the district cut 4.5 staff positions to balance next year’s budget.

The North Elementary School principal’s post was eliminated, a music teacher and literacy specialist positions will not be filled, and an art teacher and school nurse jobs will be reduced to two days a week.

There also is a projected 4 percent increase in insurance premiums and a 2 percent increase in pay for all district employees, including Colbry and other administrators.

A referendum to validate the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, the same day as the vote on a proposed $900,000 borrowing plan for paving, windows and doors in district schools.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

 

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