POLAND — Selectperson Mary-Beth Taylor told board members Tuesday that her request to Regional School Unit 16 to allow leaders and residents in the three district towns to have input before the Budget Committee finalizes its plan March 22 has been denied.
Taylor made her request in an email to RSU 16 board Chairwoman Mary Martin and Superintendent Ken Healey, both members of the Personnel and Finance Subcommittee.
Martin replied, saying the subcommittee discussed the budget process and the opportunities for the public to get information and comment, and members acknowledged it is important for municipal leaders and the public to understand “the school budget and the needs that drive the school budget.”
But, she said, “The Personnel and Finance Subcommittee did not feel that an additional meeting would be beneficial based on the attendance at previous meetings.”
“Instead, it would be better to share with our municipal leaders and the public the ways for them to access information about the budget and the opportunities for public comment within the established schedule.”
The schedule does not allow public comment until April 10, the night the school board votes on the final budget.
Martin included the budget-setting schedule:
• March 15 — The Budget Committee, which includes a representative from each town, will meet for the day to hear presentations from administrators and directors outlining “needs and priorities.” The meeting is open to the public, but no public comment will be taken. The meeting will be available for viewing the next day on RSU 16’s website.
• March 22 — The Budget Committee, which includes school board directors and a person from each of the three towns, will meet to finalize a budget proposal for presentation to the school board. The public can attend the meeting but cannot comment.
• April 10 — The proposed budget will be shared with the school board at its regular meeting, which is open to the public. The board will review and discuss it, and the public can comment before the board votes on it that night and sends it to voters of Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland.
Taylor said she wasn’t sure if comments from town leaders and the public will be allowed before or after the budget was presented to the board of directors. Public comments are usually only allowed at the beginning of the meeting, not during or after the board takes up agenda items.
• May 23 — A district budget meeting will be held to discuss the budget. After the budget is presented, each proposed item is presented to residents attending the meeting and a vote is taken. If the article passes it then becomes part of the official referendum ballot presented to voters.
Martin noted, “Public comments and questions are a key component of the district budget meeting as each article is discussed and voted on by the people in attendance.”
• June 13 — Residents in all three towns will go to their respective polling stations to vote on the budget in a single question.
Martin ended her response, saying “The RSU 16 website and parent/community letters will provide ongoing information as we work through the budget development and approval process.”
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