Thursday, May 08, 2008

Brewer school budget worrisome

Bangor Daily News, May 7, 2008

(excerpt) When the Legislature passed the new school consolidation law in June 2007, a transparent budget process was created that requires voter approval in communities all across the state.

That doesn’t bother school officials in Brewer, where the school budget for fiscal year 2008-09 is projected to increase by a mere 2.6 percent, but the wording of the ballot question does.

"The question in the booth is going to say our budget exceeds [essential programs and services]" funding limits set by the state, Superintendent Daniel Lee told the Brewer School Committee on Monday. "On your ballot you’ll see [the question] ‘Do you approve the school budget that’s over ESP."

A ‘yes’ vote allows additional funds to be raised for the school budget and a ‘no’ vote means additional funds cannot be raised.

Lee and school Business Manager Lester Young expressed concern that residents might be misled by the wording and will vote down the measure simply because the budget exceeds EPS.

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