Polls Open: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Town | Voting Location |
|---|---|
Brownville | American Legion, 67 Railroad Avenue |
LaGrange | LaGrange Town Office, 5791 Bennoch Road |
Milo | Milo Town Office, 6 Pleasant Street |
Good morning MSAD 41 Staff, Families, and Community Members,
Today is the Budget Validation Referendum, and I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to learn about the proposed FY27 budget and stay engaged throughout this process.
This budget reflects months of careful consideration and thoughtful planning in response to declining student enrollment, reduced state funding, and rising operating costs. Throughout the budget development process, the MSAD 41 Board of Directors remained focused on maintaining a 0% increase in the additional local contribution while preserving the educational opportunities and services our students deserve.
The proposed FY27 budget is $383,866 lower than last year's budget, and the additional local contribution remains unchanged, with a 0% increase in the additional local contribution. Achieving this balance required difficult decisions, but our priority has remained clear: protecting the programs and services that directly support student success.
I also want to address questions we have received about next year's schedule and student programming. Students will continue to have access to the programs that are an important part of a well-rounded education, including music, physical education, athletics, the arts, career and technical education, and special education services.
What will change is how some of these opportunities are scheduled and delivered. As enrollment continues to decline, we must thoughtfully align staffing, scheduling, and resources with the needs of our students and the realities of our budget. These adjustments allow us to continue offering a comprehensive educational experience, provide teachers with dedicated planning and collaboration time that supports high-quality instruction, and make the best use of our available resources. The schedule may look different next year, but our commitment to providing students with these opportunities remains unchanged.
Thank you to all who have taken the time to follow this year's budget process. Community engagement and participation are important to the work of our schools, and we appreciate the continued interest across MSAD 41.
I encourage all eligible voters to participate in today's Budget Validation Referendum. Taking part in the process is one of the most meaningful ways to support our schools and our community.
I appreciate the time so many of you have taken to stay informed and engaged throughout this process. Your continued commitment to the students, staff, and future of MSAD 41 is deeply appreciated.
Please come out to vote in support of our schools.
Sincerely,
Darcie Fournier