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Topsham-area voters approve $57.9 million school budget
Jun. 11—Voters passed a $57.88 million budget for the Topsham-based School Administrative District 75 Tuesday.
All four towns that contribute to the budget — Topsham, Harpswell, Bowdoin and Bowdoinham — voted in favor of the budget and voted to continue school budget referendums for another three years.
The fiscal year 2026 school budget reflects a 5.52% increase from the previous year, attributed to an increase in current services and additional resources, position additions and capital maintenance.
Under the new budget, Topsham contributes the most to the school district at more than $14.2 million, an 8.09% increase from the current fiscal year. Harpswell contributes $11.27 million, followed by Bowdoinham at $4.66 million and Bowdoin at $4.25 million. Taken together, local school assessments increased by $2.83 million, or 8.96%. The change was attributed to state property valuations and student enrollment.
Significant increases in costs this year included salary and benefit increases, health insurance premiums, software costs and rising property values, according to budget documents. New positions have also been added, including a social worker, a board-certified behavior analyst, two pre-kindergarten teachers and an elementary school teacher. Additionally, $50,000 has been set aside to purchase Yondr pouches for the middle and high schools to reduce cell phone use during school hours, and $20,000 will go toward an instructional AI platform for teaching and learning.
The budget also sets an allowance of $700,000 for capital projects, including replacing fire alarms at Woodside Elementary, roofing improvements at Williams-Cone Elementary, replacing carpeting and flooring at Mt. Ararat Middle School, and district-wide safety initiatives like lock and alarm improvements.
Reductions to the budget this year include eliminating unfilled positions, including four paraprofessionals, one bus aide, one mechanic apprentice and two transportation positions. Debt service costs have also decreased this year by roughly $60,500 as bonds continue to be paid down. The state subsidy increased by nearly $205,000 and is contributing to balancing the budget.
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