News

SAD15 proposed budget:
The major changes

By Janet Neal

The proposed budget for the 04-05 school year totals $17,250,281. That is $943,085 more than the current year. The breakdown by department is shown in the table. The two departments with the most significant increases are Transportation, up 19.84%, and Russell School, up 24.59%. Below is a list of each department and a description of the most significant changes in that department (in terms of money).

Transportation: The largest line increase in the Transportation Department is $114,996 for special education transportation. This item was previously shown in the Special Education Department (at $97,279 this year), but Superintendent Victoria Burns has moved it to the Transportation Department for next year. The second largest line item change is an additional $27,427 toward bus purchase/lease ($59,487 this year, to $86,914 next year). The third largest change is an additional $13,500 for supplies ($50,000 this year, to $63,500 for next year).

Russell School: The largest line increase is $224,566 for professional salaries and benefits ($538,836 this year, to $763,402 next year). This includes raises for current staffing, plus the addition of kindergarten teachers and one other teacher due to enrollment. The second largest change is a reduction of $23,922 for guidance professional salaries ($50,722 this year, to $26,800 next year). The third largest change is $18,871 more for substitutes and tutors ($6,855 this year, to $25,726 next year.

High School: The largest line item change is $107,801 more for professional salaries and benefits ($2,116,292 this year, to $2,224,093 next year). The second largest change is $32,415 more for co-curricular stipends ($96,811 this year, to $129,226 next year). This line pays the salaries and benefits of sports coaches and leaders of competitive teams and clubs. The third most significant change is $28,043 more for tuition to the Portland Arts and Technology High School ($212,767 this year, to $240,810 next year).

Middle School: The largest line item change is a decrease of $95,748 for professional salaries and benefits ($1,489,734 this year, to $1,393,986 next year). This is from staff reductions due to the expected loss of 56 students in that building. The second largest change is $20,238 more for substitutes and tutors ($17,960 this year, to $38,198 next year). The third most significant change is $18,626 more for support salaries ($10,694 this year, to $29,320 next year).

Memorial School: The largest line item change is an increase of $73,504 for professional salaries and benefits ($541,702 this year, to $615,206 next year). This includes adding full-day kindergarten. The second largest change is a decrease of $28,203 for guidance professional salaries and benefits ($55,003 this year, to $26,800 next year). The third largest line item change is an increase of $18,871 for substitutes and tutors ($6,855 this year, to $25,726 next year).

Dunn School: The largest line change is an increase of $61,842 for guidance professional salaries and benefits ($52,490 this year, to $114,332 next year). The second largest change is a decrease of $28,000 from books and periodicals ($44,000 this year, to $16,000 next year). The third most significant change is an increase of $19,496 for professional salaries and benefits.

Special Education: The largest line item change is an increase of $203,076 for professional salaries and benefits ($1,312,726 this year, to $1,515,802 next year). The second largest change is an increase of $110,438 for support salaries ($342,231 this year, to $452,669 next year). The third most significant change is a decrease of $89,779 in student transportation ($89,779 this year, to $0 next year). That item, along with $7,500 for summer transportation, has been moved entirely to the Transportation Department.

District Services (Health Services, Improvement of Instruction, and Technology Services): The single largest line item change is a decrease of $20,050 for technology equipment ($88,100 this year, to $68,050 next year). The second largest change is $14,844 more for course reimbursement ($70,800 this year, to $85,644 next year). The third most significant change is an increase of $14,642 for stipends ($37,682 this year, to $52,324 next year).

Board and Central Office: The only line item change of much significance is an increase of $25,471 for liability insurance ($1,950 this year, to $27,421 next year).

Operations & Maintenance: The largest line item change is an increase of $56,000 for contracted cleaning services ($125,000 this year, to $181,000 next year). The second largest change is an increase of $26,869 for maintenance contracted repairs ($174,428 this year, to $201,297 next year). The third most significant change is an increase of $15,785 for custodial salaries ($440,992 this year, to $456,777 next year).

All Other: The only significant change is a decrease of $30,295 in debt service payments ($730,090 this year, to $699,795 next year).

Proposed SAD15 School Budget for 04-05 :

Expenditures proposed for 04-05 change, by Department:

High School 6.46%
Middle School -0.92%
Memorial School 6.20%
Russell School 24.59%
Dunn School 6.03%
Special Ed 2.78%
District Services 4.72%
Central Office 2.36%
Operations 6.10%
Transportation 19.84%
Debt Service -4.15%
total district exp 5.78%


Revenues proposed for this year next year 04-05
state aid -1.64%
tuition -11.86%
other revenues 13.79%
year end carryover 125.00%
LOCAL TAXES 9.78%
total revenue 5.78%


School tax rate
for Gray 8.14%
School tax on
$100,000 home 909 983 74 8.14%
$200,000 home 1,818 1,966 148 8.14%
$300,000 home 2,727 2,949 222 8.14%


Note: School tax rate for New Gloucester will change dramatically after revaluation.
NG school tax 2.16%
School tax on
$100,000 home 1,294 1,322 28 2.16%
$200,000 home 2,588 2,644 56 2.16%
$300,000 home 3,882 3,966 84 2.16%