$11.1M Milo-area school finances set for June 9 vote

MILO — A proposed 2026-27 $11.1 million-plus budget for the Milo-based school district was approved at the annual district budget meeting Tuesday evening in the Penquis Valley School cafeteria. 

Residents will now vote on this total via a referendum question in the SAD 41 communities of Brownville, Lagrange and Milo on Tuesday, June 9.

The total budget is down by approximately $384,000 from the current academic year’s $11.5 million-plus figure. Last August this spending plan passed by a single vote at 151-150. This was the second budget ($11.9 million was the first) brought before the community. 

The proposed 2027 academic year budget reflects a year of financial constraint and careful prioritization, Superintendent Darcie Fournier said. Due to reductions in state funding — in part due to an enrollment drop of 49 students — and other revenue sources, combined with rising operations costs, the district has reduced overall expenditures while continuing to maintain student programming and services.

SAD 41’s state subsidy has dropped by $665,000 to $6.6 million-plus.

To help make up the deficit, significantly more from the unassigned fund balance is being brought forward. This total is close to $324,000 for 2026-27, roughly 10 times the approximately $33,000 used in the current school year. 

“We knew in advance that this would be a tough budget,” Fournier said.

“The board’s goal was to maintain a 0.0% increase to total additional local contributions,” she said.

To receive the Essential Programs and Services state subsidy, the three towns must raise a combined $1.47 million. 

Another $1.45 million in local additional monies from Brownville, Lagrange and Milo is needed to fund the budget. This amount is the exact same as for 2026-27.

Milo’s share is up by $24,000 while Brownville and Lagrange would see drops to together equal the rise for Milo.

The local additional warrant item passed 33-5 by the legally-required written ballot.

The three revenue sources—$1.47 million in state-required local funds, $1.45 million in additional local contributions, and $46,813 for SAD 41’s share of the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative budget—total a bit more than $2,975,000. This figure is close to $110,000 more than 2025-26 (3.83%).

The shares for Brownville and Milo would both be up at just over $1 million (3.07%) and nearly $1.5 million (7.42%) respectively. Lagrange would see a drop to $493,000 (4.32%).

The town percentage shares for 2026-27 are Milo 49.7%, Brownville 33.73% and 16.57% for Lagrange.

The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 9 in each community. Locations are the American Legion, 67 Railroad Ave., in Brownville Junction, the Lagrange town office at 5791 Bennoch Road and Milo Town Hall at 6 Pleasant St.