MSAD 11 continues to operate as one of the lower-spending school districts in Maine when measured by resident expenditures per pupil. According to 2024–2025 Maine Department of Education expenditure data, MSAD 11 ranks 199th out of 261 school districts statewide in total per-pupil expenditures, meaning that 198 districts spend more per student and only 62 districts spend less.
Across individual expenditure categories, MSAD 11 generally ranks in the middle to lower half of Maine districts. The district's highest spending rank is in Student & Staff Support (75th), followed by Transportation (106th) and Other Instruction (116th). Expenditures for Facilities & Maintenance (127th) and School Administration (136th) are near the statewide midpoint, while spending for Special Education (167th), Regular Instruction (184th), and System Administration (220th) remains below most Maine districts. These rankings demonstrate a consistent pattern of fiscal restraint across major operational areas.
To provide additional context, MSAD 11's current spending levels were compared to neighboring districts using the district's enrollment of 1,718 students. If MSAD 11 spent at the same per-pupil rate as the statewide average, the district's budget would increase by approximately $6.36 million. Matching the spending levels of neighboring districts would result in estimated budget increases ranging from approximately $2.64 million to $6.51 million, depending on the district used for comparison.
These comparisons illustrate that MSAD 11 delivers educational services while maintaining expenditure levels that are significantly below many neighboring districts and below the majority of districts across the State of Maine. The data suggest that the district's overall spending profile remains comparatively conservative when evaluated on a per-student basis.
Across individual expenditure categories, MSAD 11 generally ranks in the middle to lower half of Maine districts. The district's highest spending rank is in Student & Staff Support (75th), followed by Transportation (106th) and Other Instruction (116th). Expenditures for Facilities & Maintenance (127th) and School Administration (136th) are near the statewide midpoint, while spending for Special Education (167th), Regular Instruction (184th), and System Administration (220th) remains below most Maine districts. These rankings demonstrate a consistent pattern of fiscal restraint across major operational areas.
To provide additional context, MSAD 11's current spending levels were compared to neighboring districts using the district's enrollment of 1,718 students. If MSAD 11 spent at the same per-pupil rate as the statewide average, the district's budget would increase by approximately $6.36 million. Matching the spending levels of neighboring districts would result in estimated budget increases ranging from approximately $2.64 million to $6.51 million, depending on the district used for comparison.
These comparisons illustrate that MSAD 11 delivers educational services while maintaining expenditure levels that are significantly below many neighboring districts and below the majority of districts across the State of Maine. The data suggest that the district's overall spending profile remains comparatively conservative when evaluated on a per-student basis.
Understanding How MSAD 11 Costs are Shared 06.01.2026
Aligning Resources with Enrollment: Building a Sustainable Budget for MSAD 11
The FY 2026–2027 budget reflects the difficult but necessary work of aligning district resources with changing student enrollment while continuing to address rising operational costs. Over the past several years, MSAD 11 has experienced a steady decline in enrollment, resulting in fewer students to serve and changing demands across grade levels and programs. As a result, the district has carefully reviewed staffing, programming, and operational expenditures to ensure resources are aligned with current student needs.
Importantly, the proposed FY 2026–2027 budget includes no new positions. The budget focuses on maintaining essential services while managing significant cost increases that are largely outside of the district's control. Rising health insurance costs, the State of Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave requirements, MaineCare SEED obligations, transportation expenses, contracted special education services, and substitute staffing all contribute to increased budget pressures. These required increases total more than $900,000.
To offset these unavoidable cost increases and maintain long-term financial sustainability, the district implemented staffing and organizational reductions across multiple areas of the school system. These decisions were not made lightly. Each position and expenditure was evaluated based on enrollment trends, student needs, operational efficiency, and the district's ability to continue providing a high-quality educational experience for students.
Throughout the budget development process, approximately $2.4 million in reductions were identified and incorporated into the budget. These reductions reflect the district's commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources while adapting to enrollment declines and fiscal realities. The goal is not simply to reduce spending, but to ensure that district resources are aligned with current enrollment and positioned to support students in a financially sustainable manner.
Key Message
The proposed FY 2026–2027 budget adds no new positions, addresses significant mandated and contractual cost increases, and aligns staffing and resources with declining enrollment to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of MSAD 11 while continuing to serve students effectively.
The FY 2026–2027 budget reflects the difficult but necessary work of aligning district resources with changing student enrollment while continuing to address rising operational costs. Over the past several years, MSAD 11 has experienced a steady decline in enrollment, resulting in fewer students to serve and changing demands across grade levels and programs. As a result, the district has carefully reviewed staffing, programming, and operational expenditures to ensure resources are aligned with current student needs.
Importantly, the proposed FY 2026–2027 budget includes no new positions. The budget focuses on maintaining essential services while managing significant cost increases that are largely outside of the district's control. Rising health insurance costs, the State of Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave requirements, MaineCare SEED obligations, transportation expenses, contracted special education services, and substitute staffing all contribute to increased budget pressures. These required increases total more than $900,000.
To offset these unavoidable cost increases and maintain long-term financial sustainability, the district implemented staffing and organizational reductions across multiple areas of the school system. These decisions were not made lightly. Each position and expenditure was evaluated based on enrollment trends, student needs, operational efficiency, and the district's ability to continue providing a high-quality educational experience for students.
Throughout the budget development process, approximately $2.4 million in reductions were identified and incorporated into the budget. These reductions reflect the district's commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources while adapting to enrollment declines and fiscal realities. The goal is not simply to reduce spending, but to ensure that district resources are aligned with current enrollment and positioned to support students in a financially sustainable manner.
Key Message
The proposed FY 2026–2027 budget adds no new positions, addresses significant mandated and contractual cost increases, and aligns staffing and resources with declining enrollment to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of MSAD 11 while continuing to serve students effectively.
MSAD #11 Transportation Newsletter ~ June, 2026
Agenda for the Regular School Board Meeting to be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:30 pm. Please click on the link for agenda. https://aptg.co/-F4_mz
Agenda for the Policy Committee Meeting to be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Please click on link for agenda. https://aptg.co/M6Cn31
MSAD11 Budget Hearing 5/26/2026: https://youtube.com/live/4vynUNRcV9o?feature=share
Minutes for the Special School Board Meeting with Municipal Official held on May 18, 2026. Please click on the link for minutes. https://aptg.co/PzCvTp
DRAFT Minutes for the Regular School Board Meeting held on May 7, 2026. https://aptg.co/r4TfTf
MSAD11 School Board Meeting With Elected Officials 5/18/2026: https://youtube.com/live/vz6ZREamPAA?feature=share
Minutes for the Policy Committee Meeting held on May 7, 2026. Please click on the link for minutes. https://aptg.co/Z78Gsb
Minutes for the Finance Committee Meeting held on May 12, 2026. Please click on the link for minutes. https://aptg.co/64L--b
Currently, there is no electrical power at the MSAD1 1 Central Office. CMP expects the power to be restored at 8:15 am.
Agenda for the MSAD 11 School Board Meeting with Elected Officials to be held on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Please click on link for agenda. https://aptg.co/R4D87q
MSAD11 Finance Committee Meeting 5/12/2026: https://youtube.com/live/0ioid6NhCUQ?feature=share
Minutes for the Curriculum Committee Meeting held on May 5, 2026. Please click on the link for minutes. https://aptg.co/N1ZLCB
Agenda for the Finance Committee Meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Please click on link for agenda. https://aptg.co/GgzRB5
MSAD11 School Board Meeting 5/7/2026: https://youtube.com/live/tZm5IBCzjeo?feature=share
MSAD11 Policy Committee Meeting 5/7/2026: https://youtube.com/live/ZXBuP2zrOIc?feature=share
REVISED Agenda for the Regular School Board Meeting to be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 6:30 pm. Please click on the link for agenda. https://aptg.co/pTmS5y