SACO — Residents will vote in November on updates in the city charter that would create rules for the city’s school department.

In June, the city officially withdrew from Regional School Unit 23, and now has its own school department.

Proposed amendments to the charter to accommodate the new school department were reviewed by the school board and the city council, and were approved by the city council Monday night for the November ballot.

Under the proposed changes, all references to a “regional school unit” are replaced with “school department.”

School board members, with one representing each ward, will serve three-year terms and meet at least monthly, according to the proposed changes. They would receive the same compensation as city councilors, $1,200 annually.

The mayor will sit on the school board as a member, but will not be able to vote except to break a tie. The mayor will not be able to make motions, but can request items be added on the agenda.

One proposed change that was not approved by the council was to pay the mayor $1,200 annually for sitting on the school board, in addition to the mayor’s annual salary of $3,600.

Councilor Eric Cote said he thought the mayor should receive the compensation.

“The mayor’s salary is low as it is,” he said.

Under the proposed new charter amendments, the city council can increase or decrease the budget by categories under state law, but it may not amend programs or make personnel changes.

City attorney Tim Murphy said the school department, by law, determines how it uses its funds.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].