Brunswick voters on Tuesday approved a new elementary school and adopted a $37.4 million school budget.
The new school referendum passed 2,040-1,779.
The school budget validation question was supported 2,183-1,604.
Coffin replacement
The new school is projected to cost $28 million and will replace 62-year-old Coffin Elementary School, which has structural and safety issues.
Depending on the method used to pay the debt service, the tax rate increase is estimated at between 4.38 and 5.08 percent. That means the owner of a home worth $115,700 would see their tax bill increase an estimated $149 to $172. It would take 25 years to repay the bond and payments would decrease over time.
The new school will be constructed at the site of the now-defunct Jordan Acres School.
It will serve grades kindergarten to second but be built to serve up to grade 5 and accommodate for a growth of 200 students.
There will also be space for two pre- K programs to teach an estimated 120 students.
Budget
The $34.7 million school budget was adopted despite opposition from two fronts.
Some residents argued the budget was too high and property tax hikes were forcing people from their homes.
Another group, No, It’s Too Low for Our Brunswick Schools, led by former school board member Rich Ellis, contended the budget was too low to adequately educate students.
In a Facebook post written shortly after results were announced at about 8:45 p.m., Ellis wrote it was time for the town council and school board to move forward. He thanked members of the council and the board for their service to the town.
From the initial budget proposal presented earlier this year, the school board first pared the budget down by about $850,000 — by not renewing several teaching positions and forgoing maintenance, among other cuts.
Additional areas left unfunded for the coming year include a curriculum coordinator position, a special educa- tion secretary, a response to intervention teacher at the junior high school, freshman sports, professional development and a school resource officer position.
Additional money may come to the district from the state when the 128th legislative session convenes, and some of those positions may be restored.
There is no certainty as to how much money, if any, will be available to Brunswick, but it is projected to be $600,000.
If Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget is to pass as is, $1 million will be stripped from the school, however.
jlaaka@timesrecord.com
Vote totals
• THE NEW SCHOOL referendum passed 2,040-1,779.
• THE SCHOOL BUDGET validation question was supported 2,183- 1,604.
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