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Council approves Bangor School Department budgets and related appropriations totaling tens of millions; some councilors dissent
Summary
The council adopted a series of school budget resolutions — including a total school budget appropriation of $62,043,968 and related trust, enterprise, special revenue, adult education and capital allocations — after amendments and committee recommendations; multiple councilors voted no on portions of the package.
The Bangor City Council on June 23 approved multiple resolutions setting school department appropriations and related funding for FY2026, including a total annual school budget of $62,043,968, trust and agency appropriations, enterprise funds, special revenue and a separate local funding authorization that places $11,756,656 in additional local funds above the state model for essential programs and services.
Councilors considered and adopted the school department’s submissions both as originally proposed and as amended by the school board. The council voted to substitute amended resolves in several instances to reflect changes recommended by the Bangor School Committee.
Key actions included approval of: - Council resolve 25‑194, appropriating the total school budget of $62,043,968 (passed as amended). - Council resolve 25‑195, trust and agency fund approval of $3,624,735 (passed). - Council resolve 25‑196, enterprise fund budget of $2,590,724 (including $2,525,527 for food service) (passed). - Council resolve 25‑197, special revenue fund approval (as amended), passed after substitution; the staff read the special revenues total during the meeting. - Council resolve 25‑198, $451,792 appropriation for adult education (passed). - Council resolve 25‑199, vocational education region appropriation of $5,603,413.72 (passed). - Council resolve 25‑200, appropriation of $2,380,000 for non‑state funded debt service allocation (passed). - Council resolve 25‑201, authorization to appropriate $11,756,656 above the state model for specified categories (passed 6–3 on the substitution vote, 6 yes 3 no on final tally). - Council resolve 25‑202, appropriating the local share of essential programs and services funding of $19,520,915 (passed).
During debate, several councilors thanked the school department for working with the council and acknowledged the difficulty of the budget year. Other councilors explained their no votes as a statement about process, reserve usage, and budget priorities. One councilor said the schools had responsibly trimmed their submission but that the council still had tools, including reserves and other offsets, that could reduce the local burden. Another councilor emphasized that the schools had not cut positions in the final proposal and commended the department for finding leaner approaches.
Votes on several of the resolves were recorded by roll call; the meeting transcript records both substitution votes on amended resolves and final passage votes for the items listed above. Members of the public addressed the council before and during the budget discussion and urged consideration of seniors and residents on fixed incomes.
Ending: With passage of these resolves, the School Department budgets and associated appropriations will be implemented for FY2026; councilors who voted no said they may continue to press for changes to reserve use or for targeted aid to vulnerable residents.
