Staff Writer
HOULTON — SAD 29 voters will be asked to OK an $11 million budget for the 2008-2009. Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick said that overall the proposed budget went down $2,337 from last year and most member towns should see a decrease. The only exception this year is Houlton whose revaluation is factored in this year; that added value means Houlton’s share of the budget will increase roughly $235,000 over last year.
Increases factored into the $11,262,801 proposed total include “significant increases in energy costs,” said Fitzpatrick. Union contracts were settled at cost of living increases. The district has worked to manage those and other increased costs by eliminating some of their typical carry-over funds and by trimming all non-essential field trips from the budget.
Residents will have a chance to hear more about the spending plan at their upcoming district budget hearing which has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. at Southside School. The budget will be considered on a town-by-town basis through a referendum vote on Tuesday, June 10.
