LISBON — Due to increased state funding, school administrators are proposing a spending plan which would reduce Lisbon’s school tax.
On Tuesday, Superintendent Richard Green told the Town Council that Lisbon schools expects to receive almost $777,000 more from the state in 2023-24 than last year. The current proposal will result in a local share which is $32,000 lower than last year.
The individual tax reduction, Green said, would be very minimal.
Green attributed the increased funds to a rise in enrollment. While many districts to the north have seen declining enrollments since the pandemic began, including the Lewiston and Auburn school districts, Lisbon schools have gained about 100 students, he said.
The proposed $19.5 million budget would be a 3% increase from the current spending plan of $18.9 million. The greatest increase was attributed to contractual increases in salary and benefits, which total more than $600,000.
Lisbon schools directed federal pandemic relief funding toward capital improvement projects, primarily heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Unlike other schools, the district did not use the funding to hire additional support staff and is not worried about losing the funding, which is planned to end in 2024.
If health insurance costs come in lower than anticipated, Green said the School Committee would likely consider adding a full-time athletic director to staff, rather than reducing the budget further. Green said the addition would allow assistant principals to better focus on academics, rather than rescheduling games, for example.
Currently, the district has budgeted for a 9% increase in insurance costs. The new rate is expected to be be released in April.
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