Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 voters passed the 2022-2023 budget and annual warrant in a near-record 15 minutes Feb. 8. The $1,423,384 budget, up 4.8% from 2021-2022, will cost taxpayers from Southport, Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Edgecomb and Georgetown $831,692 after proposed assessments of $591,692 for a 2.5% increase.

The 17-article warrant included: Article 2, $218,513 for special education; Article 3, $1,204,871 for system administration; Article 13, fiscal sum of $1,423,384 with assessments of $591,692; Article 14, expenditure of funds received from federal, state or other programs not requiring matching funds be spent; Article 15, transfer of $5,000 from the unassigned fund balance to the capital reserve account and expending capital reserve funds for their designated purpose; Article 16, termination of the salary reserve account and transfer of the $20,000 balance to unassigned funds; and Article 17, expending the $10,000 unemployment reserve account balance on its designated purpose.

Article 1 picked a moderator, Melissa Whitt, and Articles 4-12 were listed as $0 for any needed future corrections: Regular instruction, career and technical education, other instruction, student and staff support, school administration, transportation, plant operation and maintenance, debt service and other commitments, and all other spending.