School unit budget validation referendum

School unit budget validation referendum

To the editor:
    On May 18, 2010, voters in the five municipalities comprising SAD 1 will have the opportunity to make their preferences known on two important questions — 

• Should the MSAD 1 school budget approved at the District Budget meeting be “validated” at a separate election in each community?
• Should the validation process continue?
    Until 2008, voter consideration of the MSAD 1 budget was done at a single district meeting held at Presque Isle High School; however, as part of the comprehensive school reorganization legislation passed in 2007, school budgets are now subject to a two-part approval process. Initial budget consideration is done at the traditional district-wide meeting. Budget amounts set at this meeting are then submitted for a second look and “validation” by secret ballot in each of the municipalities. The combined vote of the five municipalities determines whether the budget is “validated” or whether the entire budget process gets repeated. Repeating the process can take a month or longer.
    In addition to the validation vote on the budget, this year’s ballot will include the second question concerning retention of the validation process. A “Yes” vote will discontinue the validation referendum for at least three years and will restore the one-step budget approval process conducted at the annual District Meeting. A “No” vote will require MSAD 1 to continue with the validation process for three more years.
    Supporters of the validation process will argue that it holds down school spending and gives voice to those individuals who might be uncomfortable expressing their views at an open meeting. Opponents of the process question its fairness since no other local governmental bodies are subject to a two-step budget approval process. Opponents also cite the added costs of one or more separate elections and the history of very low voter participation.