Planning underway for next try at Wiscasset school budget
As with last year when Wiscasset voters rejected the first try at a school budget, the rejection June 9 of the proposed 2026-27 one has restarted the process of the school committee working out a budget to take to a special town meeting, and the budget that comes out of that going onto a vote at the polls.
Plans call for a committee workshop at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25 in Wiscasset Middle High School's library, to discuss a revised budget Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson said she is drafting.
Responding to emailed questions, Andersson said the closeness of the June 9 vote does not inform the budget's revision.
The $11.2 million budget offer lost with 535 yes votes and 547 no's, in unofficial results from the town.
Dates Andersson provided include the June 25 workshop; a special, 6 p.m. June 30 committee meeting in WMHS' library, to adopt the warrant articles for the special town meeting; the warrant's delivery to the town manager July 2; selectmen's approval of the warrant July 7; the town clerk's posting of the warrant July 8; the special town meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 23 in the WMHS gym; and Sept. 3 or 4, the budget validation referendum.
Committee Chair Tracey Whitney, reached separately, also helped explain the upcoming process. "We have a quick turnaround time as it needs to be to the selectboard by the beginning of July. Kim will be giving the committee proposed cuts to the previous budget presented for us to start with. Thankfully we are not starting from the beginning. I am hopeful that she will be able to present us with enough savings to get the budget passed this next go round."
