By a vote of 75-35, Wiscasset voters approved the $9.4 million school budget as recommended by the Wiscasset School Board at the budget adoption meeting on May 15.
Wiscasset interim School Superintendent Wayne Dorr said he expects $1.289 million in state subsidy and another $1.2 million in tuition revenue, leaving a local share of $6.9 million. According to RSU 12 data, Wiscasset’s local contribution for FY 2014 was $5,003,033.
An attempt was made by Wiscasset Adult & Community Education supporters to acquire funding for a bigger program than what the school board approved on May 1. A motion to change Article 15 from $10,000 to $66,000 failed.
The $10,000 recommendation of the school board is only to support a program which allows 16 to 20 year olds the opportunity to obtain high school equivalency diplomas.
Residents also suggested cuts in school administration, support staff, and instruction but those amendments failed.
Wiscasset voters will have a final say on the budget June 10 in a referendum vote, which is required for approval.
Whether the referendum on June 10 passes or not, the $9.4 million approved budget becomes the school department’s operational budget as of July 1.
Should the referendum on June 10 fail, the superintendent and school board will begin the budget process again.
