All 17 articles of the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District budget passed unanimously in 27 minutes May 16. About 50 voters took part at the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium. Public comment was minimal. Moderator Al Roberts sailed smoothly through the agenda, after  one of the tensest CSD budget seasons in recent memory.

Parent Tom Perkins said he has been left uneasy over how the  process went this year, namely on Gifted and Talented. At one point, the G&T teacher’s salary had been cut roughly in half and moved to regular teaching in anticipation for possible needs in the science teaching staff. The funds were moved back to G&T per the school committee’s request.

“Maybe you can reassure me Dr. Laser that what we’re really voting for here is actually that the Gifted and Talented is 100% funded and you’re not going to be monkeying around with those funds,” asked Perkins.

Laser confirmed the funds were remaining 100% in Gifted and Talented and then Perkins directed the question to CSD school committee vice chair Stephanie Hawke. “… Are there safeguards in place to guard against that … ?”

“It’s in the budget, so I would assume that it would be,” said Hawke.

Boothbay Harbor resident and Selectman Wendy Wolf asked for clarification on Article 3, specifically why the CSD was recommending $0.00 for career and technical education. Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Keith Laser explained, a funding formula change two years ago has put Bath’s vocational program at 100% funding from the state.

Article 13 – authorizing additional local funds of $4,105,565.95 – was the only ballot vote of the evening and passed 49-0.