$11M SAD 41 budget moved to June 29 referendum

MILO — A proposed 2023-24 SAD 41 budget totaling $11,048,816 was approved during the annual district budget meeting in the Walter “Eddie” Oakes Gymnasium at the Penquis Valley School on June 21. This figure will now go to a referendum vote in the district communities of Brownville, LaGrange and Milo on Thursday, June 29 for a final approval. 

The $11 million-plus gross figure represents an increase of $230,325 from the current $10,776,514 budget. The 2022-23 budget was approved at the polls a year ago by a combined total of 177-125

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 $1,057,951 in local additional monies was passed in an article by the required written ballot with a vote of 13-2.

The proposed 2023 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.

Business Manager Heidi Sisco said the state funding calculations are all available through the Maine Department of Education website, as she gave a demonstration by Goggling ED 279 and showing the three towns’ valuations, pupil counts, and more. 

“Brownville does have a higher percentage increase and that’s 4,56 percent,” she said about the community’s proportional share of the 2023-24 budget.

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 shares are $807,360 for Browville, a $35,193 (4.56 percent) increase; LaGrange would 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.

Sisco said 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.

The 16 articles making up the $11 million-plus 2023-24 budget were all approved as written by the voters in attendance in about 24 minutes with a few questions being asked.