Media Contact: Lindsey Goudreau, Marketing Communications Specialist (207) 443-8330 | lgoudreau@cityofbath.com
Bath, ME (June 2, 2021) - The Board of Directors of Regional School Unit 1 (RSU 1) approved a $38.8 million spending plan for fiscal year 2022 on May 3 after several months of Finance Committee meetings and public forums to gather community input. Now the district will seek public approval of the proposed budget by referendum on June 8. Residents may vote in person or by absentee ballot.
If approved, the budget will result in an average 1.85% tax increase across the district. Specifically, Bath will see a 1.32% increase, Arrowsic will see a 4.87% increase, Woolwich will see a 1.01% increase, and Phippsburg will see a 4.53% increase in taxes.
The RSU 1 budget is broken down into five separate referendum questions instead of a single budget approval question. This format is required by the State Department of Education.
Voters can view a management summary of the RSU1 FY22 Budget Articles online at rsu1.org. Voters will note two proposed additions to the budget: the introduction of a new Grade 6 Science Teacher at Bath Middle School to accommodate increased enrollment and the increase of the Gifted & Talented teaching position from a 40% position to a full-time position.
The total sum of funding and expenditures presented in the five referendum questions equals the total RSU 1 budget - $38.8 million. The RSU 1 Board of Directors encourages residents to vote on June 8. Polling locations are listed below:
Arrowsic Arrowsic Town Hall 340 Arrowsic Road, Arrowsic Polls open: 12:00pm to 7:00pm
Bath Bath Middle School 6 Old Brunswick Road, Bath Polls open: 8:00am to 8:00pm
Phippsburg Phippsburg Town Hall 1042 Main Road, Phippsburg Polls open: 1:15pm to 7:00pm
Woolwich: Woolwich Town Hall 13 Nequasset Road, Woolwich Polls open: 9:00am to 5:00pm