POLAND — The Select Board learned Tuesday night that Regional School Unit 16 is seeking to move its annual budget vote from June to April.
Town Manager Matthew Garside said he is opposed to the change.
The vote has been held the second week in June since 2007 when the school district was formed.
Garside said he met with town leaders from Mechanic Falls and Minot, the other district towns, and is composing a letter stating his objections.
He plans to attend the RSU 16 board meeting Nov. 14 to address the issue.
Garside said he has been in contact with school board members from Poland to voice his objections and has spoken with the Maine Municipal Association regarding the issue.
If the school board decides to change the vote to April, Garside said the district should pay the total cost, not just for the ballots, which they do currently.
The Select Board agreed with Garside and will sign the letter as well.
On Wednesday, Superintendent Ken Healey sent an email that included a statement school board Chairwoman Mary Martin of Mechanic Falls sent to Mechanic Falls Town Manager Vic Hodgkins explaining the reason for the change.
“The recommendation for the April referendum was made by the Personnel and Finance Committee and then supported by a vote of the RSU 16 School Board at the October meeting,” Martin wrote. “The RSU 16 School Board considered the following when establishing the budget referendum schedule: A June referendum puts RSU 16 at a serious hiring disadvantage. If the school budget vote fails, there is not sufficient time to put forth another budget proposal before the start of the July 1 fiscal year. An approved budget is necessary for RSU 16 to fill new positions and to determine if the budget can support current staffing levels and programs.”
Healey ended the email by saying, “Please know that RSU 16 will pay for any costs for the referendum that are required by law.”
Earlier this year, RSU 16 officials proposed doing away with voting on the budget at the polls, but the measure failed by a substantial margin in all three towns.
On Tuesday, Poland voters will decide whether to change the annual town meeting from April to June.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
