Portland Public Schools board votes on budget with tax levy increase

A proposed amendment to the Portland Board of Public Education's budget sparked intense discussion during the business meeting on April 8, 2025. The amendment aimed to increase the budget by $73,250 to hire an additional physical therapist, while simultaneously reducing contracted services by $25,000. This change would result in a tax rate increase of approximately 5.4%, translating to an additional 43 cents per $1,000 of property value.

Board member Lena questioned the financial implications of the amendment, prompting a detailed explanation from Dr. Scallon. He clarified that the proposed increase would stack on top of what the finance committee had already approved, raising the total budget to $143,250. The board debated the necessity of hiring a physical therapist versus continuing to use contracted services, with some members expressing concerns about the higher costs associated with hiring a full-time employee.

Ultimately, the amendment did not pass, with a vote tally of three in favor, four against, and one abstention. This decision means that the district will continue to rely on contracted services for physical therapy, rather than adding a new staff member.

Following this contentious discussion, the board moved on to approve the overall fiscal year 2026 school budget, which includes a tax levy of $1,252,979, reflecting a 5.33% increase. The budget was passed unanimously, signaling a commitment to maintaining educational services despite the challenges posed by rising costs.

In addition to budget discussions, the meeting also addressed personnel matters, including the hiring of a half-time social worker for the pre-K program and an assistant principal to support Deering High School. Both personnel items were approved without opposition, highlighting the board's focus on staffing needs as they navigate budgetary constraints.

The meeting concluded with a sense of accomplishment as the board successfully forwarded the budget to the city council, setting the stage for the upcoming fiscal year.