Robbinston school board passes budget, retains school choice

At its July 10 meeting the Robbinston School Committee unanimously approved a budget that maintains school choice, is $131,002 higher than the previous school year and calls for a 62% hike in the amount raised by local taxation. Described as "barebones" by Superintendent Mary Anne Spearin, the budget is higher in part due to the lack of a fund balance forward, which was depleted the previous year.

At the committee's earlier meeting on June 13, the unexpected loss of Robbinston's established tuition cap with area schools due to state legality issues prompted the committee to present two budgets -- one showing the lowest possible cost at Calais' tuition rate, and one that showed the worst‑case scenario with the standard tuition rates to area schools. With the tuition rates offered by Calais, Perry, Pembroke and Eastport, the budget shortfall would be $230,392, while the possibility of going with only the Calais rate prompted residents to take issue with the loss of school choice.

During the July 10 meeting, Superintendent Spearin and the committee opened the discussion by expressing that they had heard the community loud and clear at the previous meeting about the desire to preserve school choice.

Following the June 13 meeting, the committee contacted area schools to request an adjustment to the standard tuition rates. The Perry School Committee offered the previously‑agreed upon rate of Calais' tuition plus 10%, or $8,639, for two years, as did Eastport for elementary students. For Shead High School students, the Eastport School Committee offered the previously‑agreed upon rate of Calais plus 10%, or $11,020, for one year, with an increase to the state rate of $14,081 thereafter. Both the Perry and Eastport agreements include free transportation. Pembroke offered a rate of $12,000 for two years, with no transportation included. Those rates were incorporated into the Robbinston school budget presented on July 10.

The 2025‑2026 budget that was accepted by the school board, which totals $1,145,785, shows an increase in costs in regular instruction of $39,078, along with an increase in special education of $74,143. The cost of system administration increased by $16,753, nearly all of which is attributed to legal fees, Spearin said.

The budget calls for a $229,984 increase, or 62%, in the amount raised from local taxation, from $368,734 to $598,718. With $115,105 used last year from the fund balance forward, no funds are available in the carryover amount to decrease the local tax hike.

The budget will be voted on by Robbinston residents at a later date.