TOPSHAM

Residents in towns that make up Maine School Administrative District 75 can hear more about its proposed budget this week.

There will be three forums, kicking off with a meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at Harpswell Community School. The other forums, also set for 6:30 p.m., will take place at Woodside Elementary School on Tuesday and Bowdoing Central School on Thursday.

Superintendent Brad Smith has proposed a $38.6 million budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, with an increase of $561,761 — or 1.47 percent — in spending from the current budget.

The impact on taxpayers in the district’s four towns are:

• Bowdoin — a total increase of $100,370, or 3.5 percent, to $2.9 million

• Bowdoinham — a total increase of $143,822, or 4.9 percent, to $3.1 million

• Harpswell — a total increase of $62,833, or 0.8 percent, to $7.8 million

• Topsham — an total increase of $640,620, or 6.6 percent, to $10.3 million

Driving the spending increase is a school-based health clinic — no longer subsidized by the state — at a cost of $41,822, as well as a $67,770 expenditure to lease and purchase five new buses. Money for the latter expense will eventually be recouped through state subsidies that kick in next year. Smith also is proposing the addition of a teacher at Williams-Cone Elementary School, as enrollment there has increase.

To offset new spending, the budget proposes eliminating a currently vacant special education position for $76,222. Another potential reduction could come from the elimination of an undetermined teaching position for $65,000.

The district’s Finane Committee may still make changes to the budget following this week’s meetings. More information on the budget can be found on the district’s website at link75.org.

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