Why the MSAD 52 Budget Should Be Rejected on June 25
MSAD 52 taxpayers deserve better than continued spending without improved results. The revised FY2026–2027 budget was adopted with very little public oversight and reflects a pattern of weak fiscal responsibility. Here’s why voters should reject it on June 25.
Extremely Low Public Participation
The MSAD 52 budget process lacks meaningful public engagement. At the June 11 District Budget Meeting, only 33 out of approximately 14,000 registered voters from Turner, Leeds, and Greene participated. A budget this large—representing millions in taxpayer funding—should not be decided by less than 1% of the population. This lack of oversight allows for unchecked spending growth without accountability to the broad base of residents.
Spending and Oversight Red Flags
Hundreds of Thousands Spent on Instructional Coaches
MSAD 52 currently spends over $500,000 per year on Instructional Coaches — non-teaching positions with no proven benefit to student achievement. This is one of the clearest examples of increased spending without improved results.
Lack of Negotiation on Non-Mandated Contracts
Major contracts that are not required by the state continue to be accepted with little to no meaningful negotiation. After further investigation, it was revealed that the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract was not meaningfully negotiated. The district was presented with a price and accepted it without making a counter offer. When this pattern repeats across multiple contracts year after year, the cost to taxpayers can easily add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
The board made only very small reductions to the original budget proposal. The original budget called for a 4.9% increase. After public pressure and the failed May 21 referendum, the board reduced the increase to 4.59% — a reduction of just 0.31 percentage points. This means the board only trimmed approximately $200,000 from the original proposal. Relative to the nearly $39 million budget, this is a very minor adjustment and does not represent meaningful fiscal restraint.
Declining Student Outcomes Since 2010
Despite significantly increased spending and staffing since 2010, student test scores have not improved. In some areas — particularly in Leeds — student performance now ranks among the lowest in the nation. More spending without better results is not working for our children.
Weak Oversight on Large Expenditures
The district attempted to spend $500,000 on 18.8 acres of land in Turner without obtaining an independent appraisal. The proposed price was significantly above recent market values in the area. Voters rejected this purchase in May, but it reflects a broader lack of proper due diligence on major expenditures.
MSAD 52 continues to spend more money while delivering flat or declining results for students. Weak negotiation on contracts, poor oversight of large expenditures, and extremely low public participation in budget decisions are not acceptable. Taxpayers and students deserve better.