FARMINGTON – SAD 9 directors adopted two resolutions pertaining to tax reform Tuesday. The board also set up a subcommittee of directors to work with the superintendent and administrators to look at where cuts could be made if a tax-cap initiative is passed in November.
Directors pledged in one resolution to continue to be prudent in their development of future budgets and to make sure that there is property tax relief from the revenues that come from Question 1 approved by voters statewide in June.
That referendum required the state to pay 55 percent of the cost of kindergarten through 12th grade education.
Directors regretted that the resolution could not be more specific in its commitment to tax relief until the governor and Maine Legislature provide further information on the amount and type of revenues that will be forthcoming under the new school funding formula scheduled to go into effect next year.
In the second resolution adopted, the board opposed the passage of the Palesky property tax-cap initiative claiming the proposed tax-cap law would reduce municipal revenues by $530,000 a year and that this sudden loss would devastate Maine’s public schools and municipal services.
The resolution opposes the tax cap out of concern for the “quality of our schools and the future of our children.”
Bill Crandall, a member of the Farmington Budget Committee, urged the board to send a strong message to taxpayers about property tax relief. He said the town of Farmington is looking at ways the tax cap would affect municipal services.
Director Bob Flick of Farmington said the board would make every effort for tax relief for property owners.
Several directors said the board could not be more specific because of unknown variables of a new funding formula.
Director Mark Prentiss of Industry said he opposed adopting a resolution opposing the tax cap because it was such a political statement and he didn’t have enough information to make that decision.
In other business, SAD 9 directors approved:
• interim administration for Foster Technical Applied Regional Technology Center while vocational Director Glenn Kapiloff, whose last day at SAD 9 has been changed to Sept. 24, serves in Iraq. Reva Merrill was appointed interim vocational director. Sean Minear appointed interim student services coordinator. Melissa Williams was approved as first-year probationary teacher in the culinary arts.
• educational technicians for kindergarten class at Mallett School in Farmington and kindergarten/first grade class at Cape Cod Hill School in New Sharon.
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