District overview
RSU 59/MSAD 59 (Madison Public Schools)
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How Madison's schools are paid for and who decides
MSAD 59 runs the public schools in Madison, Maine, in Somerset County: Madison Elementary, Main Street Middle School and Madison Jr./Sr. High School. Money comes from Maine's school funding formula and local taxes. Each year the seven elected board members draft a budget, residents act on it at a May budget meeting, and voters confirm it at a June referendum.
2026-27 budget
$11,975,837.34, approved by voters 554 to 352 on June 9, 2026.
State aid
The district expects to lose state aid over the next three years as Madison's property valuation rises.
Capital reserve
Building repairs such as a new phone system and fire system are paid from a capital improvement fund.
Elected board
Seven members elected by Madison voters; Tim Curtis chairs the board.
Minutes record the board's decisions but give few budget details, so line-by-line spending is not visible in these documents.
Where the district stands
Approved by voters 554 to 352.
Terms end 2027, 2028 or 2029.
Major projects
Board policy cleanup
in progressThe board is reviewing all 390 of its policies, deleting outdated ones and revising the ones state law requires, one section at a time.
- Goal set; Sections C and D reviewed
- Sections J and K approved
Funding
Not applicable
Building repairs
in progressApproved: a new phone system ($89,897) and Madison Elementary fire system ($43,970). Still being priced: playground equipment (about $100,000 each school), skylights, doors and the practice football field. The middle school tennis courts may become basketball courts.
- Needs list presented
- Phone and fire systems approved
Funding
Capital improvement fund
Recent news
All school board agendas and minutes posted in the district's public Google Drive folders from October 2025 to October 2026, read in full.
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