The Maine Department of Education has identified the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District as “economically disadvantaged.” The designation results from the enrollment having a high number of students receiving free or reduced lunches.

As a result, the CSD will receive $307,000 in additional state subsidy next year. The district received the designation previously for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The CSD received over $200,000 in additional state subsidies three years ago, according to Superintendent of Schools Eileen King, who made the announcement during the March 16 CSD trustees’ meeting.

“It’s a bittersweet status. It gives us some significant state subsidy for the school year,” she said. “We’re right on the line so we don’t qualify every year. The last time it left us with a $200,000 budget hole because we didn’t qualify the next year.”

In total, the CSD is receiving $617,318 from the state.

In other action, the trustees are considering renting Sherman Field this summer to Amyland Amusements of Vermont. The vendor provides a variety of kiddie rides, carnival games and concessions. Amyland has already reached an agreement with the Windjammer Days committee to operate from June 28 to July 4, according to Facilities Manager Dave Benner.

The trustees proposed a $1,500 fee based on the CSD’s facility use agreement. Amyland wants to pay a percentage of the gate. The trustees mulled over their options then voted unanimously to move forward with the proposal after King and board chairman Chris Buchanan meet with Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Tom Woodin and a Windjammer Days committee member.

The trustees reached a consensus on how much the vendor should pay. The trustees want Amyland pay a $750 deposit on a $1,500 facility use fee.

“If we strictly follow the facility use form it’s $1,500. I think that’s pretty fair,” Benner said.

The trustees also approved allowing the Lincoln Little League use of Sherman Field. The local Little Leaguers have used the field in the past.

“I received a request from Jim Abbott. He thinks they may have two teams or more,” Benner said.

Another Little League team may also use Sherman Field this season. The trustees approved Benner’s request to offer Sherman Field to the Lincoln Little League Challenger Division’s team. The squad has boys and girls ages 4 to 18 with physical and mental challenges.

“I’d like to offer our field for that use,” he said. “We have plenty of parking and our restrooms are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) approved. I think it would be a good gesture.”

The trustees also approved the recommended Fiscal Year 2017 budgets. The board approved the recommended $26,589 trustees’ administration budget. The proposal reflects a 5.1 percent increase.

The recommended plant operation budget is $1,191,639.66. The proposal reflects a $14,428.66 increase or 1.2 percent. The debt service budget remains unchanged. The trustees recommend $252,075 for the next fiscal year.

The trustees will meet next at 5:15 p.m., on Wednesday, April 6 in the high school library.