RSU 68 keeps budget tight as enrollment drops
MONSON — Last June voters in the Dover-Foxcroft area school district approved a 2026-27 budget totaling nearly $15.3 million. This figure is about $279,000 more (1.44%) than the year prior.
More than a quarter through 2026-27, RSU 68 officials are working to stay within the parameters of the finances and planning for the 2027-28 budget. An enrollment decline since October 2025 will factor into budget development.
“We are keeping a really tight watch on our budget this year,” Superintendent Stacy Shorey said during a school board meeting Tuesday at the Monson Town Office.
She did not want to say much about rising fuel costs other than “they do keep me up at night.”
SeDoMoCha School Principal Cameron Archer said enrollment is 592: 331 in the elementary school and 261 in the middle school.
Enrollment has declined nearly 60 students from one year ago. Shorey said that while the total enrollment has declined, special education numbers are increasing.
She is unsure why enrollment is falling, especially since area homeschool numbers remain stable.
“It seems like a common theme. Districts are down about 50 kiddos,” Shorey said about other area districts. She will look into this more and present her findings at a future board meeting, also hoping to see if similar trends are going on in southern Maine.
The state budget includes $8 million to assist rural districts in meeting the new minimum teacher salaries. RSU68 has received about $63,000 for this purpose, Shorey said.
In other business, Monson resident Kassie Heffernan brought up the possibility of having an after-school activity bus available to transport students from SeDoMoCha to Monson.
Heffernan’s two children took part in the SeDoMoCha Stageworks production last year and getting them after rehearsals required regular trips to and from Dover-Foxcroft over multiple months. She said other parents have been in the same position.
Noting how Monson’s share of the budget has been increasing over several years, including up 1.4% to nearly $682,000 in 2026-27, Heffernan asked if a discussion on transportation could begin.
The federally-funded SPARK Club after-school program provides van rides home to RSU 68 students in Monson, Sebec and Charleston through the grant.
A few years ago post-activity transportation to the outlying communities was considered and Shorey can bring this information to the school board to reexamine.
“I think it would be a wonderful thing,” she said, with the funding being the question about whether such a program would be viable.
Archer mentioned several items in his report.
The finale of the One Book, One School shared family reading program will be on Tuesday. During the day “Because of the Rabbit” author Cynthia Lord will be at the school for three assemblies across grade levels.
Kindergarten students have been traveling across town to the Piscataquis County Ice Arena on Thursdays for the Kinderskate program.
“It’s been great to see them on their feet after a few weeks and it’s great to have the ice arena in town,” Archer said about the learn-to-skate program.
About a half dozen eighth-graders are volunteering their lunch and recess time to assist the young skaters.
This school year SeDoMoCha Stageworks will perform “School of Rock” with nearly 40 students participating. The number should grow by a few more once the cast and crew is finalized.
Middle school athletic teams are winding down the regular season with playoffs to start next week.
The Eagle football team is 4-0-1 with two games left to play.
Boys soccer has a 4-2-3 record and is ranked second in the large school division of the Penquis League standings.
The girls soccer squad is 3-6 but is currently in third place.
SeDoMoCha field hockey is 10-0 and in first place. The Eagles have just three eight-graders on the roster, Archer said.
Golf concludes with the Penquis League championship Monday at Barnes Brook Golf Course in West Enfield.
The school year has gotten off to a positive start in terms of student behavior, Assistant Principal Davan Walker said. She credited staff for setting clear expectations and being consistent.
Detentions and suspensions are trending lower than last year, Walker said.