RSU 39 board approves proposed 2024–25 budget; eliminates several positions, sets June 11 referendum

The RSU 39 Board of Education reviewed and approved a proposed 2024–25 school budget that the superintendent presented as $23,354,101.59, an increase of about 5.9% from last year and an estimated 1.98‑mill impact for taxpayers.

Superintendent (reading the proposal) said the first draft had been near $24,988,850 — about a 13.3% increase — but subsequent revisions, a round of targeted cuts and the discovery of an additional $300,000 in revenues reduced the proposal to tonight's figure. "With the budget presented tonight is $23,354,101.59," the superintendent stated during the presentation.

The board was shown enrollment and staffing projections the superintendent said the district expects roughly 1,209 students next year, with the high school enrollment near 449 students and the high school currently staffed with 24 teachers. The superintendent emphasized that 81% of the school budget is personnel costs and that preserving positions where possible had been a priority while keeping the district fiscally responsible.

Board members discussed the tradeoffs between raising the mill rate and cutting positions. One committee member argued for maintaining nurse and special‑services coverage, saying, "the nurse was important" because of increased health and behavioral needs among students.

As part of the budget process, the board read Article 1 through Article 11 (regular instruction, special education, career and technical education, transportation, facilities, debt service and other spending categories) totaling the $23.35 million figure. After discussion, the board approved the budget articles as presented.

Separately, in a formal motion on personnel (6.4), the superintendent moved to eliminate the following positions for 2024–25: one K–8 teacher, one high school alternative‑education teacher, one IT technician, one community school innovation education technician, and one high school assistant track coach. The superintendent moved the motion and a committee member seconded it; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. The superintendent indicated one of the eliminations (a sixth‑grade teaching position) would occur through attrition and that other staffing reductions were the result of targeted cuts in supplies, deferred capital work ($355,500 in deferred capital items listed earlier) and adjustments to noncontract employee pay increases (reduced from 5% to 2%).

The board also approved probationary and continued contracts for nominated teachers as presented by the superintendent, and it adopted the warrant materials necessary for voters. Chair offered a friendly amendment to set the budget validation referendum date to June 11; the board approved the amendment.

The board's finance presenter noted reserves remain about $78,000 and reported that federal reimbursement turnaround from the Department of Education is improving to roughly 2–3 weeks. The superintendent warned the fourth quarter can change positions in the year‑end numbers but said the administration anticipates a clean annual audit.

The board moved into executive session on personnel at the end of the public meeting.