Hearing and Vote Planned for Portland School Budget

The Portland City Council will hold a public hearing on the Portland Public Schools budget for fiscal year 2009 on Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Portland City Hall.

The council’s Finance Committee has unanimously approved the $89.5 million budget proposed by the Portland School Committee. The full City Council is scheduled to vote on the school budget on May 5.

A first-ever referendum on Portland’s school budget will take place on May 13. Maine’s new School Administrative Reorganization Law requires all districts to hold budget votes.

All Portland polling places will be open for the May 13th election. A majority of those who cast ballots must approve the budget in order for it to take effect.

Detailed information about the school budget is available on the Portland Public Schools Web site: www.portlandschools.org.