FRENCHVILLE, Maine — Frenchville and St. Agatha residents on Tuesday night approved a $7.8 million school budget during MSAD 33’s district budget meeting. The budget next goes to a referendum vote on June 6 in each community.
Roughly a dozen people were in attendance, and each item on the warrant was approved without any objections.
This year’s budget includes a $469,700 increase for the St. John Valley Technology Center so it can re-introduce two programs and add a new program to its agenda. The overall budget represents a $534,480 increase over the previous year.
MSAD 33 includes the St. John Valley Technology Center in Frenchville as well as Wisdom Middle/High School in St. Agatha.
The tech center, where the district budget meeting was held, plans to re-introduce both its electrical construction program and its commercial driver’s license program. About 10 students are already signed up for each program, according to center director Kevin Lavoie.
The center is also planning to add a new co-op education program that will give students opportunities for job shadowing, internships and pre-apprenticeships.
The district budget also includes a $64,740 addition for student transportation and a $48,195 addition to system administration. Additionally, there is a $95,140 cut to facilities maintenance and a $21,980 cut to regular instruction this year.
The referendum is set for June 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in both Frenchville and St. Agatha. The St. Agatha election will be held on 403 Main St. in the former Knights of Columbus building. In Frenchville, the election will be held at the town office.
