Voters in the five communities that make up Regional School Unit 2 — Hallowell, Farmingdale, Monmouth, Richmond and Dresden — overwhelmingly approved a $27.9 million school spending plan for next year during Tuesday’s election.
That figure marks a 3.04 percent increase from this year’s $27.04 million budget, but almost $456,000 of the new cost will be reimbursed by the state, which is paying for the district to replace two schools in Monmouth.
The budget passed in a 2,631-872 vote Tuesday, when local elections were held at the same time as the primary elections for state and federal positions, according to unofficial results. A majority of voters in each community supported the proposal.
The new budget will affect each of those communities differently.
Dresden’s local tax obligation will drop by $2,236, while the others would each see an increase, according to RSU 2 Superintendent Bill Zima. Monmouth’s will increase by $6,524; Hallowell’s, $50,627; Richmond’s, $65,914; and Farmingdale’s, $178,116.
The new budget includes increased spending on sports and other programs. It also includes reductions in costs for MaineCare, transportation, electricity and special education.
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