Voters in Freeport, Pownal and Durham will vote June 12 on a proposed $33 million education budget for fiscal year 2019.
Unlike many school districts in the area, Regional School Unit 5 is projected to receive an increase in state aid, estimated at $124,600 in fiscal year 2019.
The budget represents a $747,340, or 2.3 percent, increase from current spending.
The expected districtwide increase in taxes will be 4 percent. Under the spending plan, the tax increase would be the greatest in Pownal: 3.8 percent, or 66 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Freeport’s tax would increase 3 percent, or 45 cents per $1,000 of valuation. In Durham, the increase would be 0.9 percent, an 18-cent increase on the mil rate.
The individual town tax rate increases are only estimates and will likely not be known until late September, according to Finance Director Michelle Lickteig. The estimated tax impacts are based on the current tax rates of $14.95 in Freeport, $18.85 in Durham and $17.25 in Pownal.
The proposed budget includes a 9.5 percent, or about $298,500, increase for student and staff support; a 5.8 percent, or $732,800, increase in funding for regular instruction; and 2.45 percent, or $18,600, increase for co-curricular instruction and athletics. About $86,400 more will be spent on systemwide administration, $226,800 for special education and $9,000 for adult education.
The increases are partially offset by less money spent on school administration, career and technical education. Transportation has been reduced in part because sporting events and practices can now be held at the recently opened Joan Benoit Samuelson Track and Field at Freeport High School.
The annual budget validation referendum takes place June 12 at Freeport High School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; at Mallet Hall in Pownal from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and at Durham Community School from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Jocelyn Van Saun can be contacted at 781-3661, ext. 183, or at:
jvansaun@theforecaster.net
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