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Mt. Blue budget passes by 37 votes

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[Update 8:50 PM] – The Mt. Blue Regional School District’s budget appears to have passed the validation process by fewer than 40 votes.

According to unofficial results as reported by the 10 towns, the budget passed by a vote of 1,325 in favor and 1,288 opposed, or 37 votes. Town-by-town results can be seen below.

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Mt. Blue voters returned to the polls Thursday for a second round of voting on the 2016-17 budget.

A $33 million budget was passed by residents attending the June 1 budget meeting, then defeated at the budget validation referendum held on June 14. The 3,173 votes cast at that validation referendum outstripped both of last year’s votes by a wide margin, with the budget being rejected by a vote of 1,518 to 1,655.

Following that vote, the school board recommended a reduction of more than $220,000 to the proposed expenditures, resulting in a budget of $32,749,109. More than 200 residents attended the budget meeting on July 14 approved that budget, setting up Thursday’s vote.

Polls closed at different times in the district’s 10 towns, ranging from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Results will be posted here as they become available.

MBRSD Budget Vote on July 28

Chesterville: 70 yes, 166 no
Farmington: 575 yes, 400 no
Industry: 51 yes, 46 no
New Sharon: 94 yes, 203 no
New Vineyard: 26 yes, 101 no
Starks: 88 yes, 6 no
Temple: 70 yes, 58 no
Vienna: 48 yes, 34 no
Weld: 21 yes, 12 no
Wilton: 282 yes, 262 no

RSU 9 totals with all 10 towns reporting: 1,325 yes, 1,288 no

On June 14, Mt. Blue towns saw high turnout as compared to previous budget validation votes, with the budget defeated by a count of 1,518 to 1,655. The 3,173 votes cast outstripped both of last year’s votes by a wide margin; more votes were cast both in favor and opposition to the budget than in any previous budget validation referendum.

MBRSD Budget Vote on June 14

Chesterville: 59 yes, 197 no
Farmington: 666 yes, 511 no
Industry: 74 yes, 69 no
New Sharon: 107 yes, 215 no
New Vineyard: 30 yes, 129 no
Starks: 69 yes, 9 no
Temple: 61 yes, 69 no
Vienna: 48 yes, 50 no
Weld: 42 yes, 39 no
Wilton: 362 yes, 367 no

RSU 9 totals with all towns reporting: 1,518 yes, 1,655 no

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46 Comments

  1. Thank goodness this passed, we should be ashamed of ourselves for NOT trusting and believing in our elected school board and all their hard work! Thank you for your countless hours you dedicate to our education system! Enjoy the rest of your summer even though there isn’t much left.

  2. 37 votes? Farmington and Wilton alone should be recounted. BUT ALL TOWNS Should be recounted!!!
    Now, if the YES side really won, so be it. But a recount on that number of votes, and the possibility of a mistake could change everything. Let the RECOUNT BEGIN!!!

  3. I am absolutely not ashamed for voting no. Why even vote if one side tries to shame the other for their reasoning?
    I did buy some baked goods, I hope that helps.

  4. A recount usually only has even a narrow chance with the difference is .05% or less. The spread here is 1.4%; it is very, very unlikely a recount on a vote this small would find that many errors. Our clerks and ballot workers would have to be exceedingly careless to make that kind of error, and their record is quite the opposite – they are usually accurate. This vote does show that neither side alone speaks for the community, both sides need to be listened to and respected.

  5. Now you have a budget to work with. The board needs to hire an adult ed. director. How much more than Mr. Therrien are they going to pay, thousands I suspect, that’s the RSU 9 way. Just look at the middle school principal. Hang on, I suspect we are going for a ride!

  6. The voters of Franklin County all had the chance to make their voice heard yesterday. While the result is not what I had hoped for, it is what it is. What is truly sad, is the split we have generated in our community.

    Given the smoke and mirror approach used to manipulate the budget numbers, one must expect next years budget, to be significantly higher than this years budget.

    The trend is just not sustainable, is it?

  7. I hope everyone that voted knows that 75%+ of your property taxes go to the School Budget. It amazes me that every year it passes, then everyone complains at town meeting about the cost of their taxes. We (the state of Maine) always pass EVERY bond issue that comes down the pike, “But we get the magical Federal matching funds” , “It’s FREE money!”. I don’t know what the schools are teaching about economics or history but it can’t be much, it either comes out of your left or right pocket. I have never seen the school decrease their budget! How about the cost of fuel coming down that was a big reason for an increase a few years ago because of fuel and heating costs were so high. I know most towns TRY to keep their costs down but some years are worse than others tough winters fuel costs but when we have an easy year we keep a flat or decreased budget. I wish more people would get involved in local government and the school board….. wait what is Kim Kardashian doing? Keep the masses entertained with circus and cake! Rome did burn.

  8. Those who voted yes to this budget should never complain about there taxes!!!!!!!! I agree with c warren….how many much more will they pay the new Adult Ed director? It IS the new RSD 9 way! Hold on everyone! We are headed down the RSU 10 path!

  9. I wonder if those that voted yes will be helping the elderly who are being forced from their homes because they simply cannot afford to pay their taxes anymore? I doubt it!
    The school board should be ashamed.

  10. As A.Dulles pointed out the voters cast their ballots. Should be ’nuff said. EVERY registered voter can vote. We know that there are at least about 500 people who either didn’t get an absentee ballot or bother to vote. That’s on them. No one can say there’s no point in voting as the ‘no’s had it last time and with all the VOTE no signs out there if people wanted to vote it down, it was very possible. Some people exercised their constitutional right and this is our outcome. Now it’s time to move on. It’s time to think about our students and the educators & staff who do an excellent job. Instead of griping, give a nod to the robotics team that competed and won at a high level, the Lego teams that have won many times, our music groups that always pull down awards, our students graduating and going to colleges at a high rate comparable to schools in the state or nation, our numbers of students who get into top tier colleges, the number of families getting some kind of pre-school education, the teachers and principals who have won awards for excellence, the tech program and the awards it gets, the adult ed program and how it has grown and now educates so many members of our towns. These are the things that keep our towns strong and makes decent citizens of our kids. Let’s be thankful, accept the vote and keep our communities healthy and well educated.

  11. I am appalled by the limited hours that the polls were open. I suppose if you want to ensure a specific outcome, limiting who can vote is a great idea.

  12. Recent headline from BDN

    “The state ended the budget year with a surplus of about $93 million, ”

    Instead of taking our schools to task for perceived largesse why not direct the same amount of energy to our state legislators who have the power (collectively) to take school spending burden off the backs of property tax payers. These legislators have allowed the state to skip out on its commitments to fund schools that exist under laws that they passed but have sat by idly while the governor gives big raises to his staff and proposes a big raise for the office.

    The real accountability is in Augusta. Let’s stop beating up on the Mt. Blue school system and start asking our legislators to take the pressure off the property tax payers. Property taxes would go down if the legislature followed the laws they passed on school funding.

    Any legislative candidates willing to pledge to introduce a bill to tap into budget surplus to provide meaningful property tax relief by state funding of schools as already required by law?

  13. In response to the concern over salary for a new Adult Ed director:

    Maybe we as community members should be thankful and value the incredible transformations that happen in our towns through that center. Ray and his staff for many years have helped facilitate programs and partnerships that allow people to walk through the doors and hurdle significant barriers to receive an individualized education that meet learners’ needs.

    An engaged, community and student-centered director is worth their weight in gold. You can’t complain about living among ignorant, jobless citizens robbing you of your hard-earned tax dollars and in the same breath try to cut the salary of the educator actively finding pathways to put out these fires.

    While we’re on the topic of education, I highly suggest that those complaining about money spent for a new hire enroll in an enrichment class or pop in to see how incredible their College Transitions program is. Please educate yourself on how crucial this leadership role is in the district and answer me why that position should not be equal pay to any other administrator at RSD 9. They are the keys to informed and involved citizenship.

  14. A few thoughts

    1. Dang, it is a hard day when a democratic process for a school budget can be labelled with conspiracy theories. There is no conspiracy here to, heaven forbid, fund the schools and pay the professionals who educate our kids a competitive wage.

    2. Many residents are going to see their property taxes reduced this year. We got a pretty good deal for our money.

    3. What honest result would we hope for if we repeatedly vote down a school budget that is pretty bare bones? How many educated professionals who work hard, often under difficult circumstances, who are themselves tax payers in this district, need to lose their jobs before those of the “no” campaign will be satisfied?

    4. If you are really concerned about funding our schools and local property taxes then don’t support any further tax cuts to the top income earners of our state. There has been a massive shift from state funding of education f to local property tax payers under the current administration. You really want to fix this burden then lobby your local legislators when they are working on the next biennial budget and vote yes on Question 2 in the fall.

  15. Worker:. Absentee ballots work.

    Mr Billian:. School Taxes are going down in 8 of 10 towns. The homestead exemption is going up, so taxes will drop a little further… The state also has made a change to reduce property taxes on ..may need a tax person to take advantage of the change.

    conspiracy theory folks:. Go witness the counts next time…

  16. the whole point here is 33 million is just too much for one year. doesn’t matter if its coming from state or local property tax

  17. What the LIBS like to forget: WHEN the state level of funding goes back down the local district taxpayers will be hit harder. Even if the budget is flat. So having an increase of this magnitude with uncertainty in state funding (which we pay also) is irresponsible. The school does a Great job in many areas however their budgeting is a folly. Teaching our children to not understand basic math, living within your means, and not overspending to astronomical levels is ridiculous. The school budget passed through the democratic process of shortening poll hours, period. When I went to the polls there were 6 educators voting. I luckily had time outside of work to vote. Most working did not because they have to drive an hour to work. Why because there are no good jobs in this overtaxed small town. The small business owners (cough) downtown association) keeps other businesses out too. Too bad this beautiful area is riddled with very selfish entitlement.

  18. We can want a world where things are the way we would like them to be: schools can be funded on thin air, property taxes are lower than our weekly grocery bill, and somehow everything is taken care of with magical thinking. The reality is that the school board, the administration and educators work tirelessly to make the funds go as far as they can while meeting the mandates of the federal and state government and providing a good education for our kids.

    Sometimes things just cost what they cost. I would like a new car to cost less than 2,000 dollars and go for 300,00 miles. I would like it to never break down, never need a repair and make a gallon of gas go 60 miles. Is this reasonable?

    When I moved here my property taxes were 980.00 for a house and 7 acres. 6 years later I am paying 1084.00. I don’t qualify for the homestead exemption and live on modest means. And yet this is really such a modest amount of taxes for what I get for it. My roads are cared for, my town can pay for a town clerk and the town hall, and my schools can function and each little town has its own library.

    Really not a bad deal if you ask me?

  19. We pay for state funding too- agreed, I would rather see the state money spent on reducing property taxes by making the state live up to its promises of funding education instead of several of the state’s boondoggles that favor special interests. Property tax relief helps all Mainers, not just a few with high priced lobbyists.

    How many readers are in jobs that were created in the past few years by State money? How many readers are paying higher property taxes because the state designs our educational system, promises to pay, and does not pay what it is supposed to?

    Come on legislative candidates- make a kids first/property tax relief pledge- invest in kids not the clients of lobbyists who cozy up to you when the citizens from back home cannot see you.

    There are no good jobs in this small town- disagree. But you need a good education to be qualified to work at the hospital, banking operations, the school system, or the university. If we want the children of our area to have the best shot at one of these good jobs in town then we should be supporting education so they have a chance. I wonder how many good paying jobs in town are filled by people recruited from out of the area because we do not have qualified people to fill the position. Specialty trades are more computer oriented and require a better education- you need a good high school education to have best chance in better technical schools.

    The world has changed- if the next generation is going to have a chance they need a good education because the new valued job commodity is thinking skills not a strong back. The days of getting by with a minimum education is gone now that people are willing to work in manufacturing in other countries for half of what we would expect to be paid.

  20. Concerned parent – You’re wise to keep your name and town you live in out of your title. I do believe you have been overlooked by our fine tax assessors. Only a 10% tax increase in six years to live in this school district is a great deal! Mine have gone up over 60% in the last two years alone. I don’t live in shed but
    if I could pay $1084 a year in taxes I certainly would.

  21. “You can’t complain about living among ignorant, jobless citizens robbing you of your hard-earned tax dollars and in the same breath try to cut the salary of the educator actively finding pathways to put out these fires.”

    AMEN!

  22. We live in a Democratic Republic. The idea being that we all can vote and have our voices be heard. For those that voted your voice was heard. For those that did not vote they have their own reasons. Majority rules in our country and the verdict is in the budget passed. Considering the backlash that has transpired over this whole mess I would bet that each town counted their votes several times. You cannot count votes that are not there nor can you change the votes that are cast. We have had chance to have a say now let us move on. Let the teachers teach and the students learn. Education makes a community stronger and a nation greater.

  23. More state funding would help because it would send money from wealthier parts of the state to struggling areas, thereby helping prevent the wealthy from also having much better schools than places without so much wealth. I would have one request from people on both sides moving forward.

    First, let’s not get ideological. Someone said “the LIBS” up there. I’m sure someone has uttered “right winger” in a derogatory sense too. We’re better than talk radio and the inane demonization of one political side of the spectrum against the other. We’re talking about our schools, our children, our taxes and our community. Liberal and conservative are irrelevant, let’s all be pragmatists. Look at data. Compare with other districts. Look at alternatives. Listen to each other, not as opponents, but as citizens coming together to work through a disagreement.

    Don’t abstract the opposition, whatever side you’re on. Don’t think of them as caricatures, don’t denigrate. I’ve heard people saying horribly disrespectful things about teachers and administrators, as if somehow people who give their life to educate children even though they’ll have salaries far lower than most with their education (that’s especially true for administrators) are greedy nefarious charlatans. We also have to respect those concerned about taxes, and not dismiss them as “not caring for education” or “trying to rationalize holding on to property they can’t afford.” All are human, with reasons for what they believe. Each side has not just a story, but numerous stories. Let’s listen to each other rather than yell at each other. Because when it’s 37 votes, it’s clear neither side will win every election, and the rancor will continue until something gives.

  24. I also am intrigued by the geographical differences. New Sharon, Chesterville and New Vineyard are overwhelmingly on. Starks is massively yes. Most places are slight to moderate yes. It seems that perspective also depends on where one lives to some extent.

  25. Mr. Erb. Does that surprise you the areas that were heavy on the no vote? Not me.
    In a short time you will be paying 5 dollars for a coffee.
    The path that the education system is taking in America is simply not sustainable.
    If you factor in the national debt with individual debt there is no climbing out.
    I know many college graduates that don’t know how to change a tire, thread needle, cook an egg, manage their finances, or build a square box.
    I wish you the best, you seem very genuine and sincere.

  26. Starks left their partners to the east of them. Check why they did this. They have no where else to go, other than on their own. Chesterville, New Sharon, and New Vineyard would really like to fix a broken system, as would those in the other towns Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and all other taxpayers would like to see the children become educated with the necessary skills to face whatever path they choose. They want the boys and girls to be able to write so it can be read. They want them to be able to do basic math, without the aid of a machine. Make change. Understand the different sciences. Be able to fill out a job application without help. And many, many other skills that should come with thirteen years of schooling Talk with a few kids in each town, their parents and others,and find out for yourself how much they have achieved and how ready they are..

  27. I’d probably fail at building a square box, to be sure! I agree with you Billyjoebob. I think our entire education system is really messed up. It’s so focused on tests, state standards, and doesn’t get kids outdoors, solving problems and having more experiences. I think teachers are denied freedom to teach because they have to adhere to state requirements. At least that’s what I hear from people who should know. But I don’t think we can change that by cutting our budget. But maybe now that we have a year before this plays itself out again, perhaps with the no’s winning the second vote by 30 some votes, we can have people talk and try to see if there is any creative way to make some changes. Buckshot, gee – my 13 year old can make change, understand science, do more than basic math (though he’s also really good with machines) and I bet he’d do fine on a job application. My ten year old can do all of that too (we played making change games when they were 4 or 5) – well, he’d probably be too messy on a job application! I think kids are learning those things, and many of those basic skills need to be stressed at home. But I would agree with you as well that we need schools to better serve the needs of our students for their future in a globalizing world in the grips of an information revolution. The skills they need are different than the past generations. How to do that – good question. I think there is need for change. Again, I hope there can be discussions so that next year there is more unity. Because as much as I’ve disagreed with you and billyjoebob, I’ve got the impression you are good, well meaning people who have a reason for your views.

  28. Because of a decrease in ”NO” votes from 1655 to1288 in the June and July referendums,and looking at the 193 fewer YES votes in comparison, it is somewhat clear as to why the YES votes ended a bit ahead. 38 of the 367 non-repeating NO voters caused the loss of the referendum. But not a complete loss, as we all have learned from this. A very close and perhaps potentially very costly lesson for RSU 9.

  29. No question in my mind, or my kids. RSU 9 did a great job in providing them with the education they needed to get started and finish college, get jobs they wanted, and live on their own. Keep up the great work RSU ,9. By the way…they all have full time work, health care, and retirement plans. ZThank you for the start RSU 9! Oh, and I can easily read their handwriting…even though we text most often…..

  30. No matter how we slice and dice the financial pickle we are in, it still boils down to where the local school budget tax dollars come from. Given those dollars primarily come from property taxes, may I suggest that if you don’t pay property taxes, you don’t get to vote.
    Why should some who does not pay their fair share, get to spend someone else’s money?

  31. @ Scott Erb,
    Chesterville, New Sharon, and New Vineyard are where the working folk are that don’t have jobs protected by public funds and unions. Farmington on the other hand would be a ghost town without employers such as schools, university, hospital, DHHS and other govt. agencies. All of which don’t contribute to the tax base by the way.

  32. Nothing can be done about it now. Perhaps next year when the budget goes up again and there’s no extra coming from the state people will see what others concerns are about property taxes. When it goes up next year (because it most definitely will) maybe they can put the extra in the budget into curriculum and not paychecks !!!!!!

  33. Planet: Farmington has a pretty diverse population and the employers you mention provide a lot of money to the economy. I think demonizing voters in some places and saying other places have “workers” is a convenient way to try to dismiss people with a different perspective. If you can say “oh, they’re just getting protected funds” and somehow assert they aren’t “workers,” then you can ignore their position by dint of “argumentum ad hominem” (a logical fallacy). Let’s not do that either side – that’s like saying those who vote “no” are ignorant of the importance of education and don’t care about children. Caricaturing the other side is a sure path to not listening, and each side feeling self-righteous. All that said, the cause of the problems in many of our towns rests with an economy that is increasingly skewed to the wealthy through tax policy and the outsourcing of jobs. The information revolution also is creating winners in the high tech sector, but losers in manufacturing. All of these things are not something we can fix at the local level – these are national, even global issues. Blaming the school – a school that spends less per capita than the state average and then other school districts around us – is a bit of misdirection.

  34. And yet, no one seems to be this upset or this passionate about cutting other areas of state, town, and county spending? Have you all looked at the budget for his town and what goes up every year without a debate? I agree that tax money needs to be spent wisely but the attack needs to focus on all town choices not just the one that has a narrative fed by polarized political motives. In the past few weeks there have been several articles of town spending that have gone without comment. The people of this town sat idle while a decision to spend 230,000 to build a 28 space parking lot, within 100 feet of two already existing parking lots, was made. I get nothing out of this parking lot and yet my property taxes are paying for it. Lets stop being pulled apart by politically motivated narratives and focus on the greater good. Following opinion based stories excited by the imagination will bring us all down, we are either led by idiocy or hope in this country. Get it together and discuss issues not debate. Thank you Scott Erb and few others for trying to initiate a rational and logical discussion about our future. Enough said.

  35. Captain Planet: Are you doing any rational thinking? Those employers you mention contribute immensely to our communities. Consider all the taxes their employees pay, all the goods and services purchased ( which are taxed), the excise taxes collected on vehicles, etc. etc. In addition, some of those employers contribute work in kind, for which they never receive “credit” from the general public.

  36. Enough is enough! We must have a sustainable school budget, which is dictated by the local economy. We are compared to other districts, and other private sectors. I do not care what other districts pay, we have to look at the economy of our area and what we can afford. Very little is said about town spending, as most of the small towns have to take the leftovers from the county and school budgets. Therefore roads and other services suffer!
    It was only a few years ago that RSU 10 had a massive layoff of employees. This could happen here.

  37. A Dulles:. Our schools are primarily funded by the state. Which is income tax based. ( About 67 %)

    Captain:. The school state and hospital employees pay income tax and property tax. The majority live locally…
    Ü

  38. 3173 people voted the first time around when the polls were open longer , now the second time 2613 people voted that 560 people who voted the first did not vote the second time why was it because of the hours, I say yes I was do 80-90 down95 just to get there and only made I by mins, but guess it’s a fair cause the yes’s won

  39. Must be there’s extra money kicking around in the school budget, and evidently they don’t think they have enough administrators, because at Tuesday night’s board meeting he’s going to present a plan for restructuring the Mt Blue High School administration making two full time asst. principals, a full time Athletic Director,and moving a couple other people around. Think this is within the budget or will it cost more in the long run? Attend August 2’s board meeting at the forum Mt. Blue H.S. and maybe find out.

  40. The school district has no control or input into town voting hours. Take that up with your selectmen if you have complaints.

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