Heating oil costs far above budget
On October 19 the board heard that heating oil cost about $4.60 a gallon, compared with about $2.90 a gallon in the budget.
Read the full storyMaine funding & finance — school board news
Friday, November 13, 2026
We bring transparency to school decisions nationwide by tracking school board meetings, district documents, and public data. We use AI tools, rigorously evaluated for accuracy, to search for risks.
The policy desk
What’s moving in phones
The debate over phones, screens and the school day.
The policy desk
What’s moving in AI
How artificial intelligence is changing classrooms and school rules.
The policy desk
What’s moving in student voice
Students speaking up, organizing and helping shape their schools.
The news desk
Latest Maine stories
RSU 56 (Dixfield, Canton, Carthage, Peru)
Board approves a $135,000 school bus bond
On September 8, 2026 the board voted to issue a $135,000 bond to buy a school bus.
MSAD 75 (Maine School Administrative District 75)
Outside busing bid comes in about $41,000 above what vacant driver jobs would save
A Finance Committee analysis lists a First Student bid of $637,651.20. It counts $459,477.72 in savings from vacant driver positions and removed runs, plus $137,000 from other transportation lines such as fuel and buying two buses instead of three, for $596,477.72 in total. That leaves a gap of $41,173.48.
Regional School Unit 71 (RSU 71)
Board moves about $948,000 between FY25 cost centers to cover overspending
After the FY24 and draft FY25 audits were presented on August 24, the board voted to transfer $358,968 from cost center 2, $494,383 from cost center 7 and $94,367 from cost center 9. The money covers overspending in other cost centers. The FY24 audit was finished only in late 2025.
RSU 82/MSAD 12 (Jackman-Moose River)
Voters needed a second budget meeting; revised $3.2 million budget approved
The first 2026-27 budget of $3,256,340 passed the May 20 district budget meeting 50-30 and went to a June 9 validation referendum. In July the board approved a 'Second Version' of the budget and called a new district budget meeting. On July 23, 47 voters approved $3,196,702, about $59,600 less, with cuts to regular instruction, special education and student support. A second validation referendum was held Aug. 4.
RSU 82/MSAD 12 (Jackman-Moose River)
District audits are years behind; FY2023 audit only finished in July 2026
The superintendent told the board in July 2026 that the audit for the 2022-23 school year was just finished, and that audits for 2023-24 and 2024-25 were expected within six months. The auditor presented the FY2023 audit to the board on Sept. 16, 2026.
RSU 59/MSAD 59 (Madison Public Schools)
Voters approve $11.98 million school budget
On April 14, 2026, the board sent a 2026-27 budget of $11,975,837.34 to voters. Voters approved it on June 9 by 554 to 352, and the board certified the result on June 16.
Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
2026-27 budget approved, adding Threshold teachers
The board approved the 2026-27 budget on June 11, 2026. At the May first reading, staff called it conservative. It raises fuel and electricity lines to match market prices, adds 1.5 Threshold teaching positions to grow the home-based program, and aims to keep about three months of expenses in reserve.
RSU 20 (Searsport, Stockton Springs)
2026-27 budget of about $12.4 million approved by voters
Voters at the May 19 district budget meeting approved every article, including $4.25 million in local money: Searsport about $2.47 million and Stockton Springs about $1.78 million. The June 9 validation referendum passed 938 to 444. The budget uses about $1.5 million of carryover to soften the increase, and board members warned that won't be possible next year.
More from the news desk
RSU 83/MSAD 13 (Upper Kennebec Valley)
Bingham behind on school payments
The district's June 8, 2026 financial statement noted that the town of Bingham had not paid its May or June school assessments.
Closer to home
News from neighboring states
Explore the national edition and nearby communities.