OXFORD – Oxford taxpayers will face an estimated 3.9 percent tax levy hike based on the tentative budget adopted by the district’s board of education last night. The proposed spending plan, which voters will be asked to approve on May 18, totals $17,087,976. According to Superintendent Randy Squier, that figure represents a $140,724, or .82 percent, decrease in spending over the current year's budget.

“[T]he Board and I are very sensitive to the fact that a 3.9 percent levy increase is added financial pressure on all our residents, especially those who are unemployed or on fixed incomes,” said Squier, who commended the community for their support of the local school in the past.

“I ask that residents review our budget documents and notice that our spending will be less than 2008-09 and that state aid will be reduced for a second year,” he added. “The school has been responsible with our expenditures, and now must weather the economic mess created by our state-wide elected officials.”