The Portland teachers union is urging voters to reject the $179.3 million school budget that was sent to the ballot unanimously by the City Council last week.
As reported by the Portland Press Herald, the union has argued that the proposed budget favors administrative positions over those which are based in schools.
Never before has the union called for residents to vote against the budget to the knowledge of Portland Education Association President Kerrie Dowdy. Generally speaking, voters support the budget by a wide margin.
Although there was originally talk of cutting 20 positions from the budget, several were restored before the proposal was finalized.
Although a half-time guidance counselor and a half-time Latin teacher were added back to the budget, six educational technician positions were still cut in the final draft. Reductions were also left in place for the district’s central and school offices.
Many of the remaining cuts are to positions which are currently vacant.
[RELATED: Portland Residents to Vote on $179M School Budget Carrying Over 5% Property Tax Hike]
At the meeting where councilors approved sending the budget to the ballot, Superintendent Ryan Scallon said the district struggled with making difficult tradeoffs and that “the challenge of this budget is one of managing both fiscal stewardship and experiences and outcomes of our students.”
Union president Dowdy, however, has argued that the budget does not reflect the needs of students and educators are “unsure if Portland voters are aware of this.”
A flier stating the union’s position reads: “Who loses from the misplaced priorities of this budget? Students!”
At no time in the last 15 years have Portland residents rejected the proposed school budget. Last year, 67 percent of the 9 percent of Portland voters who turned out to the polls expressed support for the budget.
The Portland City Council unanimously approved this year’s proposed budget, sending it to this summer’s ballot. All members present, including Mayor Mark Dion, voted in support of advancing the budget as written.
As proposed, the school budget would carry a 5.68 percent school-side property tax increase, equating to a roughly $200 annual hike on a median-priced $566,600 home.
The vote on the school budget is scheduled for June 9, 2026, the same day as the primary elections for several key positions, including Maine’s governorship, as well as for seats in the United States Congress.
Unions are concerned about the students, now that is pure comedy
All members present, including Mayor Mark Dion, voted in support of advancing the budget as written.
You failed to note that only 6 of the nine members were present and voting. Absent were Wesley Pelliter, Kathyrn Sykes and Pious Ali.