RSU 26 board weighs $1.26 million budget gap: taxes, reserves or program cuts

The RSU 26 School Board met to address a projected operating increase of about $1,256,751.95 and to start narrowing options ahead of the district’s annual budget meeting. Chair framed the decision as a choice among three levers: “We can raise taxes. We can draw down the unassigned. We can cut programs,” he said, urging the board to weigh short‑term relief against long‑term fiscal risk.

Meredith, who presented the district’s updated budget one‑pager, described a three‑tier reduction framework: priority 1 (corrections and adjustments), priority 2 (lower‑impact reductions), and tier 3 (painful cuts that affect programming or staff). Administrators compiled potential reductions — including trimming conference and field‑trip lines, delaying a van purchase, and small cuts across discretionary lines — that together totalled about $287,008 if the board adopts priority 1 and 2 items.

Finance staff and the superintendent presented options on personnel and one‑time purchases. Lynn reviewed staff and operating lines and noted the district’s unassigned fund balance and recent commitments; administrators proposed a list of $52,008 in one‑time purchases and a revised device‑replacement plan estimated at $100,000. The board discussed restoring a halftime administrative position to improve grants and revenue capture; the position was framed as one that might pay for itself by reducing missed revenue.

Board members expressed broad consensus for the priority 1 and 2 reductions and the one‑time purchases, but diverged on staff reductions. Several members said they would not support classroom cuts that increase class sizes; others supported eliminating specific half‑time positions tied to enrollment. Opinions varied on the use of reserves: one member recommended drawing an additional $100,000 from unassigned funds to reduce the immediate mill increase, while others cautioned against using reserves without clearer projections of next year’s state revenue and enrollment trends.

Administrators said the board will receive updated insurance rates, tuition and federal allocation figures in coming weeks that could change the final numbers. The board directed staff to refine category‑3 options (deeper cuts) in case they are needed and to return with a more detailed projection before the next meeting.

Next steps: the board agreed to continue deliberations at its April meeting and to finalize budgets for voters at the annual budget meeting in May.