The School Administrative Unit 11 School Board has approved the 2016-17 budget of $23.9 million, which is a 4.98 percent increase from the current year’s budget.

The difference is $1.13 million, and the local share of the budget is expected to be increased by $365,789.88.

The additional funding is expected to cover:

• a pre-kindergarten to grade 2 regular education behavioral program

• a first-grade teacher at Laura E. Richards School in Gardiner

• an elementary school nurse

• a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teacher for Gardiner Regional Middle School

• two educational technicians for Gardiner Regional Middle School

• a social worker for Gardiner Area High School

• a half-time mathematics teacher for Gardiner Area High School

In a letter to colleagues released earlier this month, district Superintendent Patricia Hopkins noted that while the school board understands that not all needs have been met, the additions to the spending plan that the board approved are significant.

“The additions are expected to provide considerable support to those students and families who are in need and to assist in the day-to-day responsibility of successfully educating students,” she wrote. “The board understands that while any increase to taxpayers may be difficult, maintaining a solid educational system is essential to the immediate needs of our students and to the long-term success of our communities.”

The proposed budget goes to the district budget meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 31 at Gardiner Area High School. The budget that’s approved that night is scheduled to go before voters in a referendum on June 14.

Maine School Administrative Unit 11 includes Gardiner, Pittston, Randolph and West Gardiner.

Jessica Lowell — 621-5632

jlowell@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @JLowellKJ

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