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Maine RSU 21

Maine Regional School Unit 21

Arundel · Kennebunk · Kennebunkport

Budget Information

 

RSU 21 board chair urges community to support budget on June 10

KENNEBUNK, Maine - RSU 21 School Board Chair Matt Stratford emphasized that Superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper's severance package is not included in the fiscal year 2026 budget that voters will consider at the June 10 Budget Validation Referendum.

Speaking Monday at the board's final meeting before the referendum, Stratford clarified that Dr. Cooper's 8.5-month severance package will be covered using funds from the current budget rather than raising new taxes.

"This Board was mindful not to raise new taxes for these costs," Stratford said during Monday's meeting. "This is why those funds are not included in the 25/26 budget."

Dr. Cooper remains employed by RSU 21 through Aug. 31 and will either function as superintendent or provide transition support for the new superintendent, depending on ongoing hiring efforts.

The proposed FY26 budget represents a 5.45% increase, with the majority tied to contracted salary increases from recently negotiated collective bargaining agreements, rising health insurance premiums, and federally required special education services. The budget also includes student-facing additions such as a float nurse and social worker focused on substance abuse prevention at the middle and high school levels.

"This budget reflects deliberate choices to invest in our workforce through competitive wages, preserve the full range of student-facing programs across all grade levels, and fund capital needs like new buses," Stratford said.

The budget allocates 3.2% to system administration, below the state average of 3.4%.

If the budget fails at the June 10 election, state law requires the process to be repeated until voters approve a final budget. The board would need to revise the budget and hold another meeting within 10 to 45 days, followed by another referendum 45 days after that meeting.

During the interim period, the district would operate under the budget adopted at the May 7, 2025 district budget meeting, which provides legal authority for the district to continue paying staff and covering operational needs.

The Budget Validation Referendum will be held Tuesday, June 10.

Read Stratford’s full remarks here.

 

2026