Cape Elizabeth’s proposed school budget is $38,673,007, which would mean a 8.33% increase to the school’s share of the tax rate. 

For the median valued home in Cape Elizabeth, the combined town, school and county tax increase is expected to be $627.25. 

The School Board will vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday April 14, and if approved, will be jointly workshopped with the Town Council on April 27. 

“We know we ask our taxpayers to support our schools and our students and we take that responsibility to spend their dollars wisely and effectively,” Superintendent Chris Record said. 

Here are four things to know about the proposal:

No teacher or staff positions currently filled were cut. 

The proposed budget included removing several unfilled positions, including three educational technician positions, one central office support position, one teacher position at Pond Cover Elementary School and one tech integrator position at Pond Cove Elementary School. 

“We’ve tried in every way we can to keep our staff whole,” Record said. 

The district’s expenditures increased by 6.48% this year. 

Salaries and benefits account for 84% of the total budget. 

The district is still negotiating two labor contracts, with costs anticipated to increase, Record said.

Health insurance costs also had a historic jump this year, rising 8.1%. Insurance costs rose 3% in last year’s budget. 

The district is also beginning to finance the school construction project, with half a million dollars towards debt service included in this year’s operating budget. 

State contribution has significantly decreased.

Through the state’s funding formula, Cape Elizabeth school received $2,387,448, which was $162,836 less than expected. 

The state’s contribution to the school budget has decreased by $981,983 over the past two years, the result of Cape Elizabeth’s increasing valuation. 

“It’s above the state average, which leads to less school funding,” Record said. “It’s really difficult to budget around.” 

The district is estimated to have $2.6 million in its fund balance at the end of next fiscal year.

The fund balance is budgeted to begin at $2.9 million for the next fiscal year, and the district plans to use $650,000 to cushion the impact for taxpayers. It also plans to carry over $300,000.

“We want to maintain our great educational programming and wonderful staff,” Record said.