TOPSHAM, Maine — Contractual salary increases, a potential rise in health insurance costs and the effect of charter schools are among factors that could influence the next School Administrative District 75 budget.
The district’s spending plan, including adult education, decreased from $34.8 million in fiscal 2011 to $33.4 million two years later, and then rose to the $36.2 million for fiscal 2015 that voters approved last spring, according to a Jan. 23 budget presentation shared by Superintendent Brad Smith.
SAD 75 oversees public education for the towns of Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham and Harpswell.
The presentation did not include a potential fiscal 2016 total budget. A review of the complete first draft budget will be held at the Finance Committee meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, March 2, in Room 201 of Mt. Ararat High School.
While the fiscal 2014 budget used $928,000 from the fund balance, the current spending plan uses of none. That required the lost revenue to be made up in the local contribution.
Enrollment has dropped from more than 2,900 students in 2008 to fewer than 2,500 this year, and it is projected to fall to about 2,300 by 2019, according to the presentation.
Kindergarten is projected to have fewer than 190 students, while just over 200 are expected to graduate from Mt. Ararat High School.
Salaries have risen from $20.7 million in fiscal 2011 to the current $20.9 million, while health insurance costs have grown from $4.3 million in fiscal 2011 to the current $5.6 million, according to the district.
Health insurance costs in the fiscal 2016 spending plan could rise $310,000, or 5.5 percent. Contractual salary increases amount to $610,000, and charter schools could cost the district another $410,000, for local students attending public charter schools, including Harpswell Coastal Academy.
The district has 68 students, in grades six through 12, who attend charter schools, Smith said Wednesday.
Although special education enrollment also has declined by 61 students since 2011, and staff level has been reduced by six, costs are still up $846,000, which reflects increased student needs, according to the district.
Public budget forums will be held on March 23 at the Harpswell Community School, on March 24 at Woodside Elementary School in Topsham, and on March 31 at Bowdoinham Community School. All begin at 6:30 p.m.
The School Board is scheduled to approve the fiscal 2016 budget May 7. The spending plan will then go to two public votes, at a district budget meeting May 21, and a budget validation referendum June 9.
For a complete budget schedule, visit link75.org.