Voters rejected the RSU 12 budget 591-431 in polling across the eight towns Tuesday.
The $26.6 million spending plan was the second attempt to adopt a budget, after the first budget failed on June 9.
On Wednesday, Finance committee member Hilary Holm characterized Tuesday’s validation results as “a loud and clear message that the budget is too high.” She theorized the next step could be staff cuts, since all reductions to building costs have been made.
The RSU board’s original budget in early June was chopped by about $1 million and when crafting a second plan, members were unsure whether voters thought too much had been slashed. The board returned a budget that corrected errors, “made sure the numbers were right,” and relied more on stimulus funds without impacting the regular instruction line, which includes teachers.
“Unfortunately the burden fell more on the local dollar,” Holm said. Whether carryover money conservatively estimated to be available in each town in fact was available might also be an issue, she said.
Tuesday’s vote suggests to Holm that, despite the budget adoption at the July 18 open meeting, “people can’t be saying they want it increased. The no’s got out the bigger vote and the pro’s got complacent,” she said.
Having developed with other finance committee members a detailed budget analysis that was sent to all RSU households before the district meeting, Holm said, “I need to know, okay, what do they want cut? People who voted ‘no’ need to contact their representatives.”
Until a third vote can be scheduled, the RSU will operate on its last approved budget, that of July 18.
The next board meeting is on Thurs., Aug. 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Whitefield School gym.
Alna – 20 yes, 27 no;
Chelsea – 44 yes, 46 no;
Palermo – 34 yes, 38 no;
Westport Island – 39 yes, 88 no;
Whitefield – 79 yes, 55 no;
Wiscasset – 118 yes, 199 no;
Somerville – 12 yes, 60 no (unofficial)
Windsor – 85 yes, 78 no (unofficial)
