FY27 budget cuts about $700,000 in staff and raises town bills

What happened

Voters approved a $47.7 million budget for 2026-27. To keep the increase near 5%, the district cut about $700,000. The cuts include a Bath Middle School aide, replacing its librarian with an aide, part-time secretaries at Dike-Newell and Fisher-Mitchell (later restored), unfilled interventionist and science teacher jobs, a Woolwich Central aide, and half-time world language at Woolwich Central. Town assessments total $15.3 million. In the first draft Woolwich's share rose 10.43% and Bath's 8.77%.

Why it matters to families

These cuts reach classrooms and libraries across the district. The Woolwich Select Board wrote asking the district to use savings instead, and the district's savings are already thin.

The evidence

March 23, 2026 minutes list the $700,000 reduction positions and town increases. May 4, 2026: 'MOTION: Spiridakis SECOND: King VOTE: Board (6-1) TO: To approve the RSU 1 FY 2027 budget proposal for the total of $47,657,517.' May 26 Article 15 amended to $47,700,907.

The source