March 20, 2023
To: The Citizens of Regional School Unit #78
The administration and the Board of Directors of RSU #78 extend a sincere thank you for your continued support. The budget being brought before you was put together with careful forethought and is comprised of all the components that make up a school budget based on the needs of our students, and is reflective of our vision and mission for future goals.
You will notice some changes in salary costs, due to anticipated increases being currently negotiated with the Rangeley Teachers Association and a 3% increase in wages for support staff, totaling $16,004.06 over 2022-2023.
The increase to health insurance is reflected at the highest rate possible at 10% or $80,636.37. We should know the actual increase sometime in April.
Other changes that impacted this budget:
· The addition of an elementary Ed Tech for our incoming Kindergarten class next year
· The addition of a Technology Integrator teacher
· Increases in energy cost
· A teacher was moved from the K-2 cost center to the 3-5 cost center
· ARP ESSER grant funds has offered some relief to this budget, but will end in September of 2024
· The district lost $35,108.41 in state subsidy due to a decrease of identified students in special education
· The district is a minimum receiver of state subsidy
The following is a brief explanation of each of the proposed changes in the warrant articles:
Article 1 – Regular Instruction (Budgeted $1,943,168.17)
Increase of $53,293.33
· Includes estimated salary increases and health benefits
· An additional Ed Tech and Technology Integrator/ Gifted and Talented teacher
· Anticipated increases for teacher supplies, shipping cost and copier usage
· Replacement of high school reading books for English
· Decrease in professional development and enrichment activities being paid for by ESSER 3 grant monies
Article 2 – Special Education Instruction (Budgeted $757,658.39)
Increase of $29,749.00
· Includes estimated increases to salaries and benefits
· Additional contracted services based on Individual Education Plan requirements
Article 4 – Other Instruction (Budgeted $160,617.66)
Increase of $1,939.21
· Increase due to added assistant coach stipends
· Decrease in dues and fees being paid by ESSER 3 grant monies
Article 5 – Student/Staff Support (Budgeted $687,434.92)
Increase of $96,285.98
· Estimated increases to salary and benefits
· Changes in health plan and overall increases to health benefits
· An elimination of the half-time elementary guidance counselor position
· All of our technology needs are now showing up in our technology cost centers instead of the instructional cost center
· Due to an increased need for STEAM education, technology integration, and Gifted and Talented programming, the district has added a full-time technology integrator position to meet these needs K-12
Article 6 – System Administration (Budgeted $307,398.13)
Decrease of $20,642.56
· Decreased Board Contingency Fund by $20,000.00
· Increase in Board Supplies
· Decrease in health and dental benefits due to the retirement of the former Business Manager
Article 7 – School Administration (Budgeted $293,409.86)
Increase of $20,107.72
· Estimated increase in salaries and benefits
Article 8 – Transportation (Budgeted $282,789.69)
Increase of $2,030.87
· Increase in health benefits and plan change for one employee
· Decrease in salaries, with the elimination of a half-time bus driver position
· Added fuel costs
Article 9 – Facilities & Maintenance (Budgeted $1,035,789.42)
Increase of $72,541.94
· Increase in salary and health benefits
· Significant increases to the energy costs (electricity, heating oil)
· Increase for maintenance and repairs
· Furniture replacement
This budget reflects what is needed for the upcoming year to best meet the academic and social emotional needs of our students as we strive for improved academic performance. The overall increase to the 2023-2024 expenditure budget over the current budget is 4.9% for a total of $5,468,266.24 with an increase of $255,305.28 over the 2022-2023 budget.
Local allocations based on town revenues are at a 6.26% increase.
Sincerely,
Georgia Campbell
Superintendent of Schools
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