TOPSHAM

A budget process that began in January concluded Thursday with the School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors adopting a 2013-14 budget that increases the bill sent to member towns by 4.1 percent.

The board adopted a $34.7 million budget Thursday that’s 4.4 percent higher than the district’s current budget.

The increase in the total local dollars paid to schools by the four district towns is $773,308. Bowdoin faces a local share increase of $121,236; Bowdoinham an increase of $22,249; Harpswell of $241,033; and Topsham is expected to see an increase of $388,789.

According to data presented by school officials Thursday, the $34.7 million budget would spur an annual tax increase for a home assessed at $150,000 of $79.25 in Bowdoin and $14.63 in Bowdoinham. A home in Harpswell valued at $404,500 would see a tax increase of $55.16; and taxes on a $184,200 Topsham property would rise by $77.51.

The $34.7 million budget includes $10,000 set aside to continue to support students currently enrolled in Chinese, but does not provide a Chinese teacher next school year.

Included in the 4.4 percent increase of $1,451,309 is $492,291 for teacher retirement, based on a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage that will face a vote in the Legislature. SAD 75 has budgeted for the proposed additional expense in the meantime.

The district also received an 11 percent increase in health insurance costs for next school year, which was higher than the 4 percent increase the district anticipated and equated to an additional $242,900 the district had to build into the budget.

A 30-minute public budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 9 before the SAD 75 school board meets at its regular time, 6:30 p.m., at Mt. Ararat High School.

Voters in all district member towns are called to the district budget meeting May 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Orion Performing Arts Center, where they will decide on the 2013-14 budget that will go to voters in each of the four towns in the budget validation referendum June 11.

The school board Thursday night voted to have closed budget warrant articles at the May 23 meeting, meaning the article amounts can only be decreased.

The school board also elected Scott McKernan to serve as its chairman next school year starting July 1; and Gwendolyn Thomas to serve is the vice chairwoman.

SAD 75 budget

WHAT: Public hearing
WHEN: 6 p.m. May 9
WHERE: Mt. Ararat High
School, Topsham

WHAT: District budget
meeting
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., May 23
WHERE: Orion Performing
Arts Center, Topsham

WHAT: Municipal
referendums
WHEN: June 11
WHERE: Polling sites in
Bowdoin, Bowdoinham,
Topsham and Harpswell.