BUCKSPORT — School board members in Regional School Unit 25 (RSU 25) signed-off on a $13.3-million budget for the coming school year May 14.

The budget total is up 1.25 percent ($164,528) from last year.

The spending plan next heads to voters at a district-wide budget meeting Wednesday, May 23. That meeting will start at 7 p.m., and will be held in the Bucksport Middle School auditorium.

The only item of business on the agenda at the May 14 meeting was formal approval of the budget, but board members also heard from one of their former colleagues, who described what impact rising property taxes have had on him.

“It’s costing me too much money,” said Bucksport resident Bruce Clement, who added that he has had to sell some of his property to make ends meet.

Clement, who does auto repair work, said many of his customers are struggling as well.

“They can’t afford to fix [their vehicles] the way they ought to be,” he said.

Board members empathized with Clement, but said they believe they have presented a budget that will serve students well while still being mindful of the burden on taxpayers.

“We don’t feel there’s any fluff [in this budget],” said board member Scott Frazier.

Board members and Superintendent Jim Boothby, as they have done at other meetings throughout this budget season, cited lower staffing levels as evidence that the district has made substantial cuts in recent years.

Clement said he didn’t want to be seen as a complainer, but wanted to make sure board members know “there are people out there who are hurting.”

The $13,279,724 bottom-line figure approved by board members May 14 was the product of changes discussed at two budget workshops held the week before.

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