(CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had the wrong date for the district-wide school budget vote. The budget will be voted on by South Berwick and Eliot residents at the district budget meeting May 12.)
The MSAD 35 school board got its first look at the proposed 2025-2026 budget of $38,989,582, an increase of 3.06% over this year’s spending, at the March 19 board meeting
The budget, which would change drastically if threatened federal cuts to education are made, was announced during a two-hour presentation by Superintendent John Caverly.
Caverly noted the potential for the district to lose $867,000 in federal funding if the impasse between the state of Maine and the federal government is not resolved, but added, “We assume we will have the money.”
The increase from this year’s $37,831,000 budget was developed for a projected enrollment of 2,128 students in the next school year, Caverly said. Transportation costs of $2,293,982 are excluded when calculating the budgeted cost of $17,244 per student in keeping with Maine Department of Education guidelines, according to district Finance Director Ryan Cormier
Caverly cited rising salary and insurance costs and the impact of inflation on maintenance, utility and supply expenses as primary drivers of the increase. A projected rate increase of 7.5% is included in $324,000 budgeted for the district’s share of health insurance for its 400 employees, he said.
Other variables could affect the final budget, Caverly cautioned, noting that federal funds provide reading support and special education services.
Also, state legislative action could affect the budget, he said, citing pending legislation that would require overtime pay for some district staff.
The budget for district salaries increased by $530,000, with an additional $70,000 for the district’s share of the cost of the Family Medical Leave Act enacted in 2023 by the Maine Legislature.
The total district cost of the family leave act is currently $120,000, but the district included $50,000 of that cost in the 2024-25 budget and employees collectively contribute a matching $120,00 through payroll deductions.
The cost of the mandate is expected to increase every year, Cormier said. The leave benefits will become available to qualifying Maine workers in May 2026.
The district’s salary budget includes $45,000 for a new STEM position at Great Works School; $80,000 for a new full-time teaching position at Central School due to an increase in enrollment; and $7,000 for an increase in reading support for Marshwood Middle School.
One full-time position at Eliot Elementary will be eliminated due to a decrease in enrollment. The district’s communications director’s position also will be eliminated, with those duties absorbed by a member of the administrative staff.
The school board will review the budget recommendations at workshops from 5 to 7 p.m. before regularly scheduled meetings on April 2 and April 16, and will vote on a final budget package April 30. The budget will then be voted on by South Berwick and Eliot residents at the district budget meeting May 12. The final referendum vote by secret ballot will occur June 10.
The March 19 live streamed budget presentation and a digital copy of the proposed budget are available on the MSAD 35 website.
