Residents of Bridgton, Casco and Naples will act on the proposed SAD 61 school budget on Tuesday, May 6 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Lake Region High School gymnasium.

The school board is proposing a $39,573,932 budget that is up about 5.5% ($2,517,854). A driving factor is a rise in local property value assessments.

“This year, the increased real estate assessments of our three towns provided the State of Maine a reason to increase the local amount of money, approximately $1 million, that needs to be raised to receive any state funding,” SAD 61 School Board Chair Janice Barter said. “It’s an insane cycle that seems never ending.”

Although the proposed budget is up 5.5%, the state education funding formula will push town assessments to an average increase of 9%.

The warrant has 20 articles. Budget information and financial figures can be found on the SAD 61 website (www.lakeregionschools.org) — go to Departments, click on Finance.

The budget validation referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bridgton Town Hall, Crooked River Elementary in Casco, and Naples Town Gym.