An initial look at the 2025-26 Edgecomb School budget draft shows a 5.5% assessment increase for taxpayers and an overall 10.4% spending increase. On Jan. 28 school committee members began discussing recommendations in the $3.27 million proposed budget. 

This was the committee's first look at the budget as members begin working on their final proposal before presenting it to Edgecomb's budget committee and later, selectmen. 

A proposed 90% increase in the transportation and bus budget is the largest line item increase. The department is considering purchasing a new van and hiring a driver. The van would transport students with special needs to a school which better fits their education needs. The proposal calls for an increase from $100,317 to $190,667. Superintendent Bob Kahler reported a majority of the increase accounts for the van and driver.

The early draft also calls for these line item budget increases: regular instruction: $2,234,647, up 2.5%; special education, $839,643, up 14.9%; other instruction, $$3,451, up 23.3%; student and staff support, $122,177; up 10.6%; systems administration, $155,817, up 26.1%, school administration, $227,727, up 8.9%; transportation and buses, $190,667, up 90.1%; facilities and maintenance, $341,776; up 23.4%; other instruction, $3,451, up 23.3%; all other expenditures, $35,000, up 40%.

In other action, the committee accepted one resignation and one retirement. Educational technician III Natalia Gosselin resigned as of Dec. 31, 2024. Second grade teacher Jennifer Gosselin will resign at the school year's end. The committee had its first reading on 14 proposed revised policies. The committee had a second reading on nine proposed revised policies which resulted in six approved revisions and tabling three others.

The committee tabled Instructional Goals and Objectives, School Day and Curriculum. "The committee wanted some extra time to review these policies," Kahler said. Later, the committee held an executive session to discuss labor negotiations with Edgecomb Education Association. Kahler reported no actions were taken following the session. The committee meets next at 5 p.m. Feb. 25 in the school cafeteria.