RSU 50 budget vote is June 18

  DYER BROOK, Maine — Voters in the communities of RSU 50 will be able to ask questions on the proposed $9,261,281 school budget for 2012-13 at an informational meeting Monday, June 18 at 6 p.m.
Following the informational session, the district budget meeting will be held asking voters to approve the spending plan.
    RSU 50 Interim Superintendent John Doe said the budget, which is up $185,565 (about 2 percent) over the previous year, represented the district’s best efforts to maintain current programs, while keeping costs to a minimum.
RSU 50 is a consolidated school district between SAD 25 and CSD 9. It comprises the communities of Crystal, Dyer Brook, Hersey, Island Falls, Merrill, Moro, Mt. Chase, Oakfield, Patten, Sherman, Smyrna and Stacyville.
Changes in town’s valuations will play a big role in how the proposed budget will affect each of the communities. For example, Stacyville saw a major change in its town valuation and as such will see a large decrease in its share this year, while many other towns will see an increase.
The amount to be raised for each community, which is based on state valuations, and the tax impact it will have, is broken down as follows: Crystal, $169,163 (an increase of $2,853); Dyer Brook, $178,640 (up $2,272); Hersey, $41,937 (up $14,105); Island Falls, $782,764 (down $24,018); Merrill, $150,209 (up $701); Moro, $49,426 (up $29,087); Mt. Chase, $337,639 (down $153); Oakfield, $485,140 (up $5,832); Patten, $444,546 (down $17,960); Sherman, $487,331 (up $20,408); Smyrna, $205,866 (down $6,317); and Stacyville, $136,221 (down $135,696).