Dates set for SAD 41 budget meeting, referendum

MILO — Residents in the SAD 41 communities of Brownville, LaGrange and Milo will be voting on the proposed 2021-22 SAD 41 budget at the annual district budget meeting later this month, and then via referendum. The school board approved the schedule during its meeting held at the Penquis Valley School on June 1.

The annual district budget meeting starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, in the Walter “Eddie” Oakes Gymnasium, with a 5:30 p.m. information session before.

“The final step is the budget validation referendum which is in all the towns on June 24,” Superintendent Michael Wright said. On Thursday, June 24, SAD 41 voters will be asked if they approve the total budget approved nine days earlier.

“Make a point to get out and vote please,” Board Chairperson Roberta Trefts said.

In the summer of 2020, the district budget meeting was held over Zoom. At the polls in early August residents approved a $9.9 million-plus budget for the current academic year.

In other business, three appointments were made for Penquis Valley soccer head coach positions. Returning will be Jason Mills for the high school boys, Dawn McLauglin for high school girls and Erin Weston for middle school girls.

Trefts said the name for the middle school boys position will be presented for approval at the July meeting.

Penquis Valley High School Principal Michael Rollins said a traditional graduation ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, in the gym. Social distancing and mask protocols that have been in place all year will be in effect for the graduation.

Wright said he wanted to thank all SAD 41 staff for their hard work over the last year-plus. “It’s been a year like no other for all schools across the country, including in Maine and our region,” he said. “We had to deal with things we never thought we would.”

The superintendent said he believes everyone handled school in the best manner possible.