From the Superintendent
This is the sixth and final segment in a six-part series about the district budget, with this week's focus on historical and regional comparisons. A reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, June 10, is the ballot vote on the school district budget for fiscal year 2025-26. In addition to a question asking for approval of the budget, a second question asks if voters wish to continue with the annual budget validation referendum, which is an additional step given that voters also approve the budget at the annual district budget meeting held in May.
As I noted in Part 5: Budget Implications for Taxpayers, historically MSAD 51 has made efforts to keep both expenditures and tax increases below the rate of inflation, a trend that continued until 2023 when budget expenditures have incrementally increased in the post-pandemic era. Despite this, tax increases remain on the lower end, with the FY 26 tax effect for Cumberland at 3.7% and North Yarmouth 1.9%.
One area that is often referenced is cost per pupil. Per-Pupil costs are the raw average costs for educating a student in a school district in Maine and can be calculated taking the total expenditure budget for the district and dividing by the number of students. When a student moves in or out of the district, there is not an increase or decrease of the per-pupil amount made to the budget. Rather, this is an annualized adjustment handled through the regular budgeting process. These costs are broken out by the state’s prescribed 11 budget categories, or cost centers, as I discussed in Part 3: Budget Organization.
When compared to our five closest geographic neighbors, as seen below, our raw per-pupil expense of $24,095 is third amongst the six districts. However, when you factor in revenue (most of it from state subsidy), our adjusted per-pupil cost drops to $16,412, placing fourth among neighboring districts. The SAD's member towns of Cumberland and North Yarmouth are assessed only the adjusted per-pupil cost as part of the totality of the budget. In other words, MSAD 51 is a high receiver of state funding and other revenue, historically offsetting school taxes in both communities.
Did you miss a week in this budget series? Check out the five previous segments below:
Part 5: Budget Implications for Taxpayers
Part 4: Budget Impacts
Part 3: Budget Organization
Part 2: Determining Budget Priorities
Part 1: Budget Process
Regards,
Jeff Porter
MIW third graders at the Portland Sea Dogs Education Day! One student got selected to say, "Play Ball" (pictured on left), and another got selected to throw out the first pitch (pictured on right)!
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
This Thursday!
Next Week
Please note that the last day of school is Tuesday, June 17. Early dismissal times will be as follows: Grades K-5 will be dismissed at 12:30 PM; Grades 6-12 will be dismissed at 11:30 AM. As a reminder Wednesday, June 11 is a half day of school.
Superintendent's Report
Here is the latest Superintendent's Report 
Profile of a Learner
On May 22, 2025, Mar-E Trebilcock, Director of Academic Support, gave a presentation to the Board of Directors identifying the key traits and indicators of a "Greely Learner."
Click the image to interact with the Profile of a Learner
Work Permits for MSAD #51 Students
If your child is between the ages of 14 to 16 and is in need of a work permit, please complete this work permit application. Work permit applications can be dropped off at the MSAD #51 District Office (little red building), located at 357 Tuttle Road. If you prefer to email, please send to Tricia Small ([email protected]). The processing of work permits typically ranges from 1-2 business days. The District Office is open 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday (hours may vary in the summer).
If you have any questions regarding the Maine laws governing employment of minors, please check out the link below for complete details: www.maine.gov/labor/labor_laws/minorsguide/
Stay Connected
Click on the icon above to connect with MSAD #51.
Find all the ways MSAD #51 shares information.
MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information
All meetings will take place at 6:00 pm in the Gyger Room at Greely High School. For those of you unfamiliar with that room, the Gyger Room can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).
June 18 - Regular Meeting
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos
Budget Information 2025-26
Detailed budget information can be found on the District's website at: https://www.msad51.org/
Tomorrow is voting day!
One Campus Project Information
For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/
One Campus Photo Album
Keep up to date with photos as the projects on campus progresses through the summer.
Click the image to view the photo album
Useful Links
Greely Center for the Arts Events
If you would like something included in our weekly newsletter, please send a brief write up with title along with a JPEG or PNG image of your flyer (if applicable) to Melissa Porter for approval. The deadline each week is Wednesday. Any requests received after Wednesday will be reviewed for possible submission in the following week's newsletter. All approved submissions will be posted on the district's website.
Not all items in this email are MSAD #51 sponsored programs. If you need more information, please contact the group or organization that is sponsoring the event.
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us | 207.829.4800