SAD 11 Brass: Budgeting Flawed
Kennebec Journal, May 30, 2008
(excerpt) Voters increased the proposed School Administrative District 11 budget by $195,000 at a district budget meeting attended by about 120 of the district's 13,000 residents Tuesday.
The new total proposed budget of nearly $21 million goes to voters from Gardiner, West Gardiner, Randolph and Pittston in a referendum vote June 10.
Both the district budget meeting and the new form of referendum question going to voters June 10 were instituted as part of a state school reorganization law.
Voters Tuesday added $100,000 back into the budget for fuel costs plus another $95,000 in staff costs intended by voters to restore two elementary school guidance counselors' jobs.
Dick Rogers, chairman of the school board, said he thinks the school board may have some discretion in the manner in which the $95,000, added Tuesday, is spent.
But Rogers complained the new state process is "flawed," in that it allowed a small number of people to determine a school budget amount that will go to voters districtwide.
"Clearly the process is flawed, and the Legislature needs to look at this again," Rogers said. "It's unfair a turnout of 120 people can decide for 13,000 people. That's just not right."
(excerpt) Voters increased the proposed School Administrative District 11 budget by $195,000 at a district budget meeting attended by about 120 of the district's 13,000 residents Tuesday.
The new total proposed budget of nearly $21 million goes to voters from Gardiner, West Gardiner, Randolph and Pittston in a referendum vote June 10.
Both the district budget meeting and the new form of referendum question going to voters June 10 were instituted as part of a state school reorganization law.
Voters Tuesday added $100,000 back into the budget for fuel costs plus another $95,000 in staff costs intended by voters to restore two elementary school guidance counselors' jobs.
Dick Rogers, chairman of the school board, said he thinks the school board may have some discretion in the manner in which the $95,000, added Tuesday, is spent.
But Rogers complained the new state process is "flawed," in that it allowed a small number of people to determine a school budget amount that will go to voters districtwide.
"Clearly the process is flawed, and the Legislature needs to look at this again," Rogers said. "It's unfair a turnout of 120 people can decide for 13,000 people. That's just not right."
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