South Portland board advances FY27 budget 4-2 after contentious debate over reconfiguration and staffing cuts

The South Portland Board of Education voted 4-2 on April 7 to advance the superintendent's FY27 budget to City Council, even as parents and educators filled the chamber with objections about the speed and planning of elementary reconfiguration and proposed staff reductions. Board members Holman, Smith, DeAngelis and Risch voted in favor; Members Feller and Richardson opposed the motion.

The administration said a late revision to the district's health insurance increase freed about $655,000 for the local budget. "We learned that that was 5.14% instead," Assistant Superintendent Johanna Prince said during her update, noting the lower-than-expected rise trimmed projected costs and opened options for contingency and one-year hires.

Prince recommended placing roughly 30% of that increment into contingency lines, using about 36% to fund SPTA positions and paid time-beyond-contract (including optional summer work), and allocating roughly 20% toward SPESPA positions and related services. She…