FREEPORT
Regional School Unit 5 will use an additional $168,000 state subsidy to offset local tax increases on residents in Durham, Freeport and Pownal.
The RSU 5 board of directors voted last week to allocate the state subsidy money to the reduction of the tax impact of the $32.2 million budget.
The budget, approved in Freeport, but rejected by Durham and Pownal residents, represented a 4.2 percent tax increase.
To help mitigate the impact, $850,000 was taken from the undesignated fund balance. The additional subsidy was kicked back to the towns after the Maine Legislature reached a last-minute budget deal.
The total state subsidy to the RSU is $5.8 million. Of the additional money coming back to the district, 65 percent of the apportionment will go toward reducing Freeport’s share, 24 percent will reduce Durham’s share, and 12 percent will reduce Pownal’s commitment.
The increase in the budget is mostly due to an across-the-board 2.5 percent to 3 percent increase in educators’ salaries, a 6.5 percent increase in health care coverage for staff, and the shifted responsibility for retirement payments from the state to districts.
Money was also added back into the budget, totaling $73,000, for an additional teaching position.
Durham’s portion of the budget is $4.9 million; Freeport’s share is $17.4 million and Pownal is expected to contribute $2.8 million.
By far, the largest expenditure is the regular instruction portion. At $12.6 million, it is nearly $540,000 more than last year’s approved budget. This item includes teacher salaries and benefits.
Facilities maintenance is the next largest department total, at $4.8 million, up $278,000 from last year. A custodian position was added and more supplies purchased, as well as added funds for the central office and plowing expenses. Money was reduced for electricity costs at three schools. Added interest for the track and field bond is listed under this category.
The next largest item is special education, totaling $4.1 million, a 4.3 percent increase from last year.
The RSU 5 board of directors will meet again Sept. 13 at the Freeport High School library.
jlaaka@timesrecord.com
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