Damariscotta will consider a $1,565,517 secondary education budget for the 2015-2016 school year, an increase of $295,713 or 23.29 percent.
The budget includes expenses for Damariscotta students in grades nine through 12. Most attend Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.
The regular instruction category shows the most significant increase, from $926,986 for the 2014-2015 school year to $1,152,698 for the 2015-2016 school year. The increase is $225,712 or 24.35 percent.
The special education category would also rise, from $199,984 to $281,300. The increase is $81,316 or 40.66 percent.
The budget factors in a 6 percent tuition increase for students who attend Lincoln Academy. The increase would come on top of a 3.8 percent increase in 2013 and a 6 percent increase in 2014.
Damariscotta’s 2014-2015 secondary education budget did not fully account for the first 6 percent increase, planning for a 4 percent increase instead. The state establishes the rate Lincoln Academy can charge towns in December, months after towns pass their budgets.
The Maine Department of Education has told school systems to expect a second consecutive 6 percent increase, according to Central Lincoln County School System Business Manager Kati Hunt.
L.A. officials have said recent increases have come after several years of minimal increases and fall more in line with annual increases from the 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 school years.
The school spends heavily from endowment income and other private funds to supplement public tuition.
“More money per pupil simply means that we come closer to meeting the actual cost of educating our students,” Lincoln Academy Head of School David Sturdevant told The Lincoln County News last month.
The increase in special education expenses is due to an increase in out-of-district tuition requirements and the growth of the special education student population.
The Damariscotta budget anticipates total enrollment of 105.5 students in grades nine through 12 in 2015-2016, an increase of five students or 4.98 percent.
Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus described the reaction from town officials to the quarter-million-plus increase as “stunned.”
Lutkus said he appreciates the efforts of Superintendent Steve Bailey and Hunt to review the budget with town officials.
“I am, however, eager to review the detailed budget to gain a better understanding of why the proposed budget is increasing so much,” Lutkus said in an email. He expects the district to provide a more detailed budget document soon.
The Damariscotta School Committee approved the budget proposal March 5. Damariscotta voters will have the final say during a special town meeting at the town office at 5 p.m. May 6.
A budget validation referendum vote will coincide with the municipal election June 9.
