The proposed PreK – 12 total budget of $19,979,216.98 represents a 6.57% increase of last
year’s budget. This budget reflects the inflationary increases in all areas of operation as well as
salary and benefit increases. Last year the Board made some difficult decisions and eliminated 5
full-time employment positions throughout the district. This budget cycle they made a conscious
effort to not reduce any more positions or cut educational programs.
The overall increase to the budget is $1,231,998.64. The primary reasons for the increase in this
budget are local debt due to voter approved capital improvement projects, health insurance
increases, salary and benefit increases, increased Special Education costs and State mandated
Paid Family Medical Leave contributions. 5.51% (or $1,033,633.10) of the increase to this
budget is directly attributed to all these categories.
Breakdown of Major Increases
- Local Debt (Capital Improvement) $118,825.55
- Health Insurance (13.75% Increase) $330,817.55
- Special Education Programming Increase $45,000.00
- Paid Family Medical Leave $50,000.00
- Salary and Benefits Increase $489,020.00
The local impact of the 6.57% increase to the FY 2026 budget over the FY 2025 approved
budget will see increases in all four communities. Those increases are as follows:
- Bucksport - $ 411,677.53 increase or 7.83% over the FY 2025 budget
- Orland - $ 210,039.28 increase or 7.68% over the FY 2025 budget
- Prospect - $ 41,439.84 increase or 5.83% over the FY 2025 budget
- Verona Island - $ 22,561.90 increase or 3.66% over the FY 2025 budget