LISBON
Lisbon voters head to the polls again today to vote on the fifth school spending plan proposed by the town council for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
The council and Lisbon School Committee have disagreed on the past four proposed school budgets, all of which the council reduced and which were rejected by voters at budget validation referendums since June 2015. A majority of voters opposing the budgets proposed by the town council said it was because they were too low.
The first proposed spending plan of $15.1 million the town council sent to voters was nearly $400,000 less than what the school committee had recommended. Through the process, the council and school committee disagreed on the use of bond proceeds to offset debt on the new track and gym projects, and there was concern by parents and students that sports, music and art programs would be cut.
The town council adopted a $15.19 million spending plan on Dec. 15, which was only $75,874 less than the school committee’s recommendation, and on Dec. 22 the town council and school committee were able to reach a compromise on the budget to narrow the shrinking gap.
In a one time offer, contingent on the budget passing today, the town council offered not to bill the school department the remaining $58,000 balance for its school resource officer’s salary and benefits, and would only expect the school to pay the town up to $29,000 if it can find any surplus.
The deal
As part of the deal, the council expected the school committee to support and push for passage of the proposed $15,188,724 spending plan before voters today.
The polls are open until 8 p.m. today at two voting locations. District 1 consists of residents in Lisbon Village and Lisbon Center who will vote at the Superintendent’s Central Office Building in the gymnasium at 19 Gartley St. in Lisbon. District 2 encompasses Lisbon Falls residents who will vote at the MTM Center gymnasium at 18 School St., in Lisbon Falls.
The referendum asks voters if they approve favoring the school budget that was adopted at the Dec. 15 town council meeting with a choice of “yes” or “no.”
As with previous school budget validation referendums, there is a second nonbinding question asking those who voted “no” to indicate if it is because the budget was too low or too high.
Voting today
• THE POLLS are open until 8 p.m. today at two voting locations. District 1 consists of residents in Lisbon Village and Lisbon Center who will vote at the Superintendent’s Central Office Building in the gymnasium at 19 Gartley St. in Lisbon. District 2 encompasses Lisbon Falls residents who will vote at the MTM Center gymnasium at 18 School St., in Lisbon Falls.
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