SAD 54 voters OK budget at hearing

Morning Sentinel, May 13, 2008

(excerpt) About 80 percent of the $32.5 million School Administrative District 54 budget passed Monday night before the first question was asked.

Then, during discussion on article 9, spending for facilities and maintenance -- up over 13 percent -- John Keister, of Norridgewock, asked why football games are played at night, when powerful electric lights are necessary.

After the meeting, Keister said his children played sports also, but he said with energy prices high and expected to go higher, it seems to make sense to play more football games during the day. That question was one of only a handful posed as about 160 voters in the Skowhegan Area High School gym approved the $32.5 million budget almost as quickly as they could move the articles.