KINGFIELD — Superintendent Laura Columbia presented the proposed 2024-25 budget Monday for Maine School Administrative District 58 to the Board of Selectmen.
Superintendent Laura Columbia of MSAD 58 gave a presentation to the Kingfield Selectboard on May 6 about the budget in Kingfield. Rebecca Richard/Franklin Journal
“This year’s budget, we are looking at an overall increase of 3.06%,” Columbia said, which also includes adult education. “3.06% is fairly good in this economy. The total including the adult education cost of $22,439 is $11,907,914. As state funding declines, local budgets are seeing an increase. Avon’s budget is up by 9.30%, while Kingfield’s has risen by 12.19%, an increase of $224,048.
“We want to be as transparent as possible,” Columbia emphasized, stressing the importance of community involvement in the budget process.
Columbia said, “The state contributes 64.57% to MSAD 58, and the communities must raise 35.43% to receive the full state contribution.”
There is a balance forward, which is unexpended funds from the previous year’s budget and income from sale of equipment and other items.
The balance forward consists mostly of unexpended funds from unfilled positions within the district, Columbia said. She emphasized that this practice isn’t a long-term solution, advocating for gradually reducing its use to support students and staff better.
“If I am understanding correctly, the school district can’t use undesignated funds without approving it through the taxpayers,” said Annie Twitchell, who serves on the Kingfield POPS board of directors. “So, we are looking at approving $685,000 from the undesignated towards reducing the tax burden this year. We are also looking at approving $616,000 towards the capital reserve which would then make it so that school board has access to use those funds. The undesignated accounts are kind of locked up.”
During the meeting, audience members expressed concerns about Kingfield’s contribution to the district budget. Columbia acknowledged these concerns, “There are all these formulas that go into the number of kids we have,” highlighting the complexities inherent in funding allocation.
The state funding formula takes into consideration the number of students and staff within the district, Columbia said. Students with tuition, such as students from Carrabassett Valley, the unorganized territories, and high school students from the Eustis School District, are not counted toward the state funding formula, although the district receives compensation for those students in other revenue.
Columbia explained this financial framework dictates the proportions of state and local funding required for each district.
She said the Essential Programs and Services are the programs and resources that are essential for students to have an equitable opportunity to achieve the Maine Learning Results.
“I am a big fan of planning. So, I really think we need to be strategic how we move forward,” Columbia said. “The board approved us adding a warrant to put $616,000 to a capital reserve account. That is some of our undesignated funds. If we start building up our reserve accounts, we can pull from that for emergencies or projects.
“I am stressing the importance of allowing that money to go into the reserve account,” Colombia said.
The MSAD 58 annual budget hearing is scheduled for May 23 at 7 p.m. at Mt. Abram High School cafeteria, followed by referendum voting June 11 across various municipalities.
Upcoming meetings and voting sessions:
• MSAD 58 Annual Budget Hearing: May 23, 7 p.m., Mt. Abram High School cafeteria.
• General elections will be held May 31 at Webster Hall 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Vote on the budget and other town business will be held on June 1 at 9 a.m. at the Kingfield Elementary School
• Referendum Voting: June 11, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., various locations:
• Avon: 1115 Rangeley Road, Avon Town Hall
• Kingfield: 38 School St., Webster Hall
• Phillips: 124 Main St., Phillips Town Office
• Strong: 14 S. Main St., Forster Memorial Building
Absentee ballots are available until May 28. Reach out to the Town Office to request one. In exceptional cases, you may also request them on May 29 and 30.
Additionally, before the annual town meeting in June, voters will vote on two Board of Selectmen seats and two MSAD #58 School Board Director seats.
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