BRUNSWICK

No one attended a budget hearing at Region Ten Technical High School on Monday, at which school officials would have presented their proposed $2.2 million spending plan for 2016-17.

Peter Dawson, the school’s director, said the proposed $2,232,068 operating budget for Fiscal Year 2017 represents a 7.5 percent increase over the current bottom line.

The three school districts that send students to R10 will only have to contribute an additional 5.88 percent each, because R10 is using $35,000 from its fund balance to help offset the increase.

Brunswick School Department would see an increase of $46,246; School Administrative District 75 an increase of $44,422 and Regional School Unit 5 an increase of $30,110 under the proposed budget.

The budget has been whittled down from his first proposed budget, Dawson said. While the increases to assessments is 5.88 percent, last year the budget increase was only around 1.2 percent.

“Some of those things that are larger items, we’re trying to put into a longer term plan,” Dawson said.

For example, obtaining a new pickup truck through a lease, and spacing out maintenance projects and computer purchases.

There have been two years of no investment in major maintenance projects.

“We can’t sustain that,” Dawson. “What we tried to do is build a four-year plan for some of these major projects and spread it out so it’s a little more even,” rather than triggering major spending peaks.

Region Ten’s facilities face a pricey renovation. Knowing that, staff and school officials have been discussing a new, four-year, all-day comprehensive high school — offering academics as well as career and technical education — possibly located near Southern Maine Community College’s Brunswick Landing campus.

Meanwhile, Dawson said, the current school must still be maintained.

For example, the roof needs to be replaced over the span of four years. In FY 2017, there is $75,000 budgeted to make other repairs, including replacing the second deck of the deteriorating concrete front stairs.

Through some savings in the maintenance costs, Region Ten will divert $22,300 in the current year to repair several rusted doors and aged windows.

Other costs, such as insurance and teacher salaries, are still being negotiated. The proposed budget assumes the new superintendent director salary will require an additional $106,000.

“We would love to add new programs,” said Dawson.

But to add new programs the school would have to subtract programs too. Anatomy and physiology and pre-engineering programs have been priced out as staff and the cooperative board look at pre-enrollment and possible changes that may result. Officials are near finalizing decisions on any program changes for next school year.

Region Ten Technical High School will hold a second public budget hearing Monday at 5 p.m. at the SAD 75 district office, located at 50 Republic Ave., in Topsham.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

Budget bounce

• BRUNSWICK School Department would see an increase of $46,246; School Administrative District 75 an increase of $44,422 and Regional School Unit 5 an increase of $30,110 under the proposed budget.