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Twitter: @LewistonSuper Facebook: Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent ENSURING STUDENT ACADEMIC AND CIVIC SUCCESS Administration: [PHONE REDACTED] Business: [PHONE REDACTED] Curriculum: [PHONE REDACTED] ELL Program: [PHONE REDACTED] Maintenance: [PHONE REDACTED] Nutrition: [PHONE REDACTED] Payroll: [PHONE REDACTED] Special Education: [PHONE REDACTED] Technology: [PHONE REDACTED] LEWISTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 36 Oak Street Lewiston, ME 04240 www.lewistonpublicschools.org TDD: [PHONE REDACTED] FAX: [PHONE REDACTED] January 8, 2014 Dear Lewiston Voters: The citizens of Lewiston are being asked to vote again on the fiscal year 2013-2014 School Budget on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. The reason for this vote is explained below and will not require any change in the tax rate or additional monies from Lewiston taxpayers. Last spring, on May 13th, voters approved the FY14 Lewiston School Budget. Later in June the State of Maine’s biennial budget was approved. While the State provided additional funding to schools, Lewiston is not authorized to spend these funds without voter approval. In addition the State has assessed Lewiston over $1 million in unbudgeted MaineCare costs, which by law must be covered within the school budget. Approval of the revised budget will allow Lewiston to meet its MaineCare obligations while continuing existing levels of programs and staffing. If the vote does pass, the additional State funding will be used to cover the additional cost of MaineCare costs without any reductions in programming or staffing. In the event this vote does not pass, program and staffing cuts will need to be made from the current budget. In either case, there is no change to the tax rate or need for additional monies from Lewiston taxpayers. The Longley Elementary School gymnasium will be the single polling place from 7 am to 8 pm, but absentee ballots and early voting will be available at City Hall. Please call 513-3124 with questions about voting. Please call me at 795-4100 if you have questions about the revised budget, which is presented on the back of this letter. Thank you. Bill Webster Superintendent of Schools ---PAGE BREAK--- Category BUDGET ADOPTED by REFERENDUM On May 13, 2013 PROPOSED BUDGET for REFERENDUM On January 14, 2014 Change Regular Instruction $ 21,678,944 $21,397,391 ($281,553) Special Education 13,003,110 13,968,451 $965,341 Career & Technical Education 2,936,344 2,936,344 $0 Other Instruction 826,248 826,248 $0 Student & Staff Support 3,288,782 3,288,782 $0 System Administration 1,150,345 1,150,345 $0 School Administration 2,486,573 2,486,573 $0 Transportation & Buses 2,872,077 2,872,077 $0 Facilities Maintenance 6,695,278 6,420,278 ($275,000) Debt Service & Other 2,850,998 2,850,998 $0 All Other Expenditures 16,000 16,000 $0 TOTAL $ 57,804,699 $58,213,487 $408,788 Notes: The net reduction in Regular Instruction is composed of the required reclassification of Gifted and Talented program expenses ($128,447) less reductions in Salaries, Supplies, Books, Staff Travel, and Tuition Reimbursement to help fund the MaineCare costs. The net increase in Special Education is composed of an increase in MaineCare expense, less the reclassification of Gifted and Talented program expenses noted above. The reduction in Facilities is composed of Utilities, Salaries, Equipment replacement, and Maintenance expenses to help fund the MaineCare costs.