SAD 41 voters approve $11M budget

MILO — SAD 41 voters approved a 2023-24 budget totaling $11,048,816 via a combined count of 50-12 at the June 29 referendum. The budget was approved in each district community — 18-4 in Brownville, 9-3 in LaGrange, and 23-5 in Milo.

The $11 million-plus gross figure represents an increase of $230,325 from the current $10,776,514 budget.

SAD 41 will receive nearly $6.9 million in Essential Programs and Services state funds, a decrease of $53,958. In order to receive these funds, district communities must raise $1,313,380, which is $53,958 more than in 2022-23. SAD 41 will ask for a $1,057,951 in local additional funds — a $22,806 increase.

The 2023-24 budget has a $2,414,817 local contribution, consisting of the required funds and additional local monies as well as SAD 41’s near $43,486 proportional share of the Piscataquis County Adult Education Cooperative budget ($434,318 across four area school districts). The $2.4 million is up by $120,251.

The combined $2,414,817 in local monies is up by $78,274 (3.35 percent) from the previous year’s $2,336,543.

The three town proportional shares are $807,360 for Browville, a $35,193 (4.56 percent) increase; LaGrange will see an $11,757 (2.72 percent) increase to $444,475; and for Milo its $1,162,982 portion of the SAD 41 budget is up by $31,324 or 2.77 percent.

Funding for a school resource officer position is included in the budget. If approved by the district and town of Milo, a $38,480 salary for 37 weeks when school is session would be paid for by the district.