Home / Education / MSAD 54 Budget Rises 4.78%, Skowhegan Tax Share Up 2%
MSAD 54 Budget Rises 4.78%, Skowhegan Tax Share Up 2%
9 May
Summary
- MSAD 54's 2026-27 budget totals $53.9 million, a 4.78% increase.
- Staff compensation and insurance represent the largest budget expenditures.
- Voters will consider budget and cost-sharing formula changes in May and June.
The Maine School Administrative District 54 (MSAD 54) is proposing a budget of $53.9 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year, representing a 4.78% increase. This budget includes a 2% rise in the local property tax share for Skowhegan taxpayers. Superintendent Jon Moody emphasized that employee costs, particularly staff salaries and insurance, are the largest components of the budget, accounting for the majority of expenditures.
Despite a nearly 78% poverty rate among its students, MSAD 54 consistently surpasses state academic standards in English language arts and shows strong growth in math. Moody noted that the district operates with lower per-pupil spending and administrative overhead compared to the state average, indicating a focus on classroom resources.
Residents in the district's six towns, including Skowhegan, Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Norridgewock, and Smithfield, will have the opportunity to vote on the budget at a district meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. A budget validation referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Furthermore, on June 10, 2026, voters will address a proposal to alter the cost-sharing formula for expenses exceeding the state funding requirements. This change aims to move away from the current valuation-based system towards a model that incorporates enrollment numbers, potentially reducing Skowhegan's contribution by approximately $25,000.
