More than a dozen parents, teachers and community members pleaded with the Portland school board Tuesday to increase resources for students despite a looming $12.4 million budget gap that could require an 11.5% tax increase to close.
They said they are willing to pay higher property taxes and fight for greater investment in the Portland school district.
The school board held a meeting Tuesday night on the district’s 2024-25 budget, allowing district officials to discuss it and the financial pressures the district faces, and giving community members an opportunity to weigh in and ask questions.
Like school districts from York to Houlton, it’s likely to be challenging for Portland to maintain programming without significant tax increases. Inflation, a shrinking student body and the loss of COVID-19 funding are all contributing to a tough budget season.
An 11.5% tax increase on the school portion of the budget could drive up the …