CUMBERLAND — School Administrative District 51 voters go to the polls Tuesday, June 9, for the final say on next year’s $33.8 million budget.

Voting in Cumberland will take place at Town Hall, 290 Tuttle Road, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. North Yarmouth votes at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 247 Walnut Hill Road, also from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

If the budget referendum passes, fiscal 2016 spending will increase 3.6 percent over the current level.

With school, town and county assessments combined, Cumberland would see a tax hike of $75 for each $100,000 in property valuation, or $262.50 on a $350,000 home. The combined impact in North Yarmouth would be a $53 increase for every $100,000, or an impact of $185.50 on a $350,000 home.

The budget reflects an approximately $642,000 reduction in funding for the district from Gov. Paul LePage’s state budget proposal, which stems from three factors: $232,000 from retirement of debt for the Mabel I. Wilson School, a $120,000 reduction in bus subsidy, and $290,000 from declining enrollment and a state mil rate shift.

Budget additions include an increase in Greely High School staffing to support required Response to Intervention program guidelines and increased enrollment; a new elementary math program geared toward better alignment with state standards; technology infrastructure investments; new support for teacher orientation; additional Greely Middle School nursing time, and a specialist for students with unique learning needs.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

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