The prospect of further tax increases dominated the February 10 meeting of the Lubec school board, despite a limited turnout. Snowed out of the customary first Thursday meeting date, the rescheduled date attracted a crowd of eight participants plus four members of the board. Based on the number of copies of the draft budget, AOS 77 Superintendent MaryEllen Day expected a much larger crowd.
      Select board member Nancy Harrison, speaking during the public comments portion of the meeting, raised the question of increased costs by AOS 77 following the recent office move from Eastport to Pembroke. "Our office is the cheapest in the county," protested Day, stating that the move was made necessary because "Eastport wanted us out." The discussion then broadened to include the total tax burden borne by local taxpayers. "The school went up, the county went up. We're trying to hold the line in the town, but people are having a hard time," said Harrison.
      The municipal budget process has just begun; it will be presented for voter approval during the town business meeting in August. School committee meetings in March, April and May will each be preceded by a budget workshop, during which residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions. "None of my other schools are required to do that," said Day. "You are an RSU; you have to do that."
      The question was asked about the local effect resulting from the current White House hold on federal funding. "It's too early to tell," said Day, who admitted that the worst case scenario would mean a number of programs would either be eliminated or funded locally, further driving up taxes.
      After Day reviewed that 46% of the budgeted funds for the current fiscal year has been spent, indicating that the school system is in good shape with its expenses, the taxation discussion resumed during the presentation of the first draft of the proposed 2025 26 school budget. Among many other things, it identifies three federally funded teacher positions, as well as much of the special education allocation. AOS 77 Business Manager Chad Allen confirmed that, in many cases, funding received via state grants is also based on federal grants, making it difficult to predict the effect of the current blockage, put in place by President Trump.
      Allen led the discussion through the proposed budget, pointing out the various changes. The largest increases include teacher salary, which is the result of contractual negotiation; special education, which is mandated by state law; and a newly added bus payment, driven by transportation needs. Building maintenance rose very slightly from the previous budget; however, it includes a $65,586 payment of bond principal and interest for the roof replacement carried out in 2023. It does not include the estimated $1.8 million needed to repoint the gymnasium wall. The draft 2025 26 budget indicates a rise in total expenses to $3,427,593, or an increase of 11.2%.
      "So where do we go from here?" asked Harrison, observing that many residents already have difficulty with taxes. "To cull now," replied Day, "is to get rid of people. You already have your teachers teaching two grades. There is no fat in this budget."
      "So unless we make major changes, people will continue to need to pay more," observed board member Richard Huntley. The question of tuitioning the elementary school students to schools in other towns was briefly discussed; it was noted that no nearby school has the capacity to take the 88 students currently served in Lubec. "Lubec has the highest enrollment of all the elementary schools in the AOS," she said. "A big increase over the pre COVID 60 plus students."
      Day pointed out that it might be possible to negotiate a lower high school per student fee at Washington Academy, but they would require taking all of Lubec's high schoolers. The strategy the town chooses to follow will likely be a subject brought up during the upcoming workshops. The meeting, which began at 5:30 p.m., adjourned at nearly 8 p.m.