WATERVILLE — The Waterville Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a $28.4 million school budget for 2022-23 that increases salaries for teachers and educational technicians.
It was the board’s second and final vote on the budget.
The meeting, held in the Media Center at Waterville Senior High School, drew no public comment and lasted only about 10 minutes. Board members quickly approved the plan 7-0 without discussion.
The new budget includes $940,000 in additional taxes to help fund schools. While the schools had asked for $1.1 million this year, the City Council approved $940,000 as part of its approval Tuesday night of a $51.6 million municipal and school budget.
Schools Superintendent Eric Haley said after the school board vote that he was glad the budget passed.
“I am very thankful to the City Council for approving this increase in taxes to help support teachers and ed techs in the new contracts that we are negotiating,” Haley said. “It’s a huge lift for their feelings of being appreciated and valued.”
Board Chairperson Joan Phillips-Sandy echoed Haley’s comments.
“I appreciate the support of Mayor (Jay) Coelho and the City Council to help us fund better salaries for our teachers, ed techs and other employees,” she said.
Haley attended the council meeting Tuesday night, at which councilors approved the proposed $51.6 million budget that included $23.2 million for the municipal budget and $28.4 million for schools.
The school board always take its final vote on the school budget after the City Council takes its final vote on the municipal and school budgets. Wednesday’s school board meeting had been scheduled as a special meeting for that purpose.
After the vote, Phillips-Sandy announced the board’s next meeting is July 25. Board member Pam Trinward asked if the board will have to have a meeting when the teachers’ contract is settled.
Phillips-Sandy noted that there are three matters coming before the board, at times yet to be determined — the settling of both the teacher contract and the contract for custodians, maintenance workers, bus drivers and cafeteria workers, and a vote on a new assistant superintendent.
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