Good afternoon SPSD Families and Staff,
We are writing to provide an update on the FY27 Budget development.
On Monday evening at the Regular Board Meeting, Chair DeAngelis began with remarks which made it clear that the Board is expected to vote at its next meeting on April 29. At that time, the Board is expected to reconsider and overturn its earlier action, resulting in a delay of the school reconfiguration - likely to the start of the 2027-2028 school year. The longer timeline will allow the district to engage more stakeholders, and ensure everyone has the information needed for a successful transition.
As the Board chair outlines below, our focus this spring will be on supporting the Kaler community:
Please know there has been lots of feedback from parents and educators, and I want people to know we are listening. We will have an action item on the agenda on April 29th to halt the movement towards reconfiguration at this time. There is strong support on this School Board to delay action; the decision to do this on April 29th is to allow for sufficient public notice and to afford time to write the action item correctly…
Our goal now is to find ways to come together, to work together, and to plan together…Our focus at this juncture is on Kaler–staff and students. Let’s come together and support them, with a goal of helping transitions to happen as smoothly and effectively as possible. Showing kindness to all of them and helping in every way we can is the beginning. Again, I believe we can do that too. Thank you for giving your attention to Kaler and that community. Their loss is real which means our loss is real. Thank you.
Also on Monday the Board voted to ask the City Council for guidance around potentially increasing the school budget by 1% and for support in expenses for snowplowing and school resource officers, with a clear intention that any additional dollars would be put toward contingency and seeding fund balance. Last night, the Board presented its budget and these requests to the City Council during a workshop. The Council asked thoughtful questions, and worked to both provide guidance and demonstrate their partnership to the school district.
Following thoughtful questions and deliberation, the Council agreed that the Board could return with a 1% increase in the budget, and indicated that the City would be open to assuming any deficit from the current school year, up to three million dollars. While demonstrating their partnership with the school department, the Council denied the request to fund school services from their own budget, suggesting instead that any needs be reflected in the modest increase in the school budget to be presented to the voters in June. The Council also opened the door to a future conversation about any FY26 deficit.
We will continue with listening sessions this week if you are interested in joining:
Special Education Elementary Staff: 4:30-5:30 p.m., Dyer Gym Wednesday 4/15
Dyer Family Session: Wednesday 4/15
Small Family Session: 6-7 p.m. Thursday 4/16
We also will continue with forming the Steering Committee (brief application here deadline Thursday 4/16 5pm)
The next meeting of the School Board will be on 4/29/26 at 6 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at South Portland High School.
With best wishes,
George Entwistle
Superintendent