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The Wells-Ogunquit school board approved the final district budget Tuesday night at a public meeting. It will now go to town voters on June 9.
The $33.4 million budget represents a 2.4% net increase from last year’s total, and will have a small tax impact in each town.
Superintendent James Daly said only 20 residents attended the meeting, and the budget was approved without any proposed changes.
Two questions were posed by attendees, including one about the difference in each town’s mill rate.
Wells is responsible for about 1,300, or 96%, of all enrolled students and the local contribution will be around $24 million. The town’s estimated tax rate dedicated to schools will be $3.55 per $1,000 in assessed property value, which is a few cents higher than last year.
Ogunquit’s contribution will be $6.1 million, and the tax rate will be $2.97 — a slight decrease from 2026.
The mill rate is determined by each town’s property valuations, Daly said. Ogunquit sits at about $2.2 billion, while Wells is valued at $5.5 billion. The owner of a $500,000 home in Ogunquit can expect to pay $10 less in property taxes next year, while Wells homeowners will pay $15 more.
Another question raised by attendees was about growth in the adult education budget.
Funding went up $20,000, to a total of about $427,000. Daly said the district expected health insurance increases and accounted for a 4% raise for education technicians as part of their collective bargaining agreement.
If the budget does not pass next week, the district will go back to the drawing board and hold an additional referendum vote.
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