Sanford schools lower budget and prepare for June validation referendum after city workshop

Sanford School Department officials told the committee April 6 they had trimmed expense requests and modelled changes requested by the city council, moving the proposed school taxation rate down and preparing for a voter validation referendum in June.

Superintendent Matt summarized adjustments made since the February budget: negotiated health‑insurance plan changes and small dental savings, reduced some capital high‑school reserves, shifted responsibility for certain extracurricular costs to families (swim and ice‑hockey co‑ops), and reduced a half‑time custodial position and several requested new positions to reach the council’s parameters. The district also used a combination of reserve draws and unassigned fund balance entries (including about $90,000 from the unassigned fund balance) to further lower taxation.

Matt said the city council unanimously approved the school budget at its March 24 workshop but cannot take formal action there; the council agenda will include final action April 7 and the school validation referendum is scheduled for June 9, with the city clerk expected to certify results on June 11.

The superintendent provided percentage and dollar‑level examples of changes, saying overall expense targets were lowered and taxation was reduced to the council’s requested levels. Committee members asked questions about procedural next steps, public hearings and timelines for the referendum.

No formal vote on the budget was taken at the school committee meeting; the superintendent recommended continued outreach ahead of the May public hearing and the June referendum.