South Portland board hears FY27 budget that models closing one elementary school and cutting about 78 positions

Summary

District leaders presented an FY27 proposal that would invest roughly $2.4M above FY26 while closing a $8.4M gap; the model includes about 78 proposed position eliminations and a modeled closure of Dyer Elementary to achieve facility savings. Dozens of teachers, parents and residents urged more transparency, time and alternatives to closure.

South Portland School Board members on a recent night heard a detailed FY27 budget presentation that administration said would hold the school portion of property taxes to roughly a 6% increase under the current model while requiring about $8.4 million in reductions.

Assistant Superintendent Johanna Prince, who presented the slide deck, told the board "the budget that we are presenting tonight represents 2,400,000 of investment into our school system above what we are expending in FY '26." She said the plan reflects a 3.3% overall spending increase inside a model that, because of revenue constraints and no available fund balance, would translate into an anticipated tax impact for the school portion just under 6%.

Prince and Superintendent Dr. Entwistle identified the major cost drivers: roughly $3 million in contractual wage increases and step/experience additions, projected health‑insurance increases, corrected electricity costs, urgent capital needs (including a large heating‑system and other work at Skillen and roof work at Dyer), the first payment on an athletic bond and a bus replacement. Prince said the district has drawn down its fund balance in prior years and currently expects no savings to use in FY27, meaning deeper reductions are needed.

Board member…

South Portland board hears FY27 budget that models closing one elementary school and cutting about 78 positions

Summary

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