By RANDY SEAVER | Editor
School Supt. Jeremy Ray is expected to make his annual presentation of the proposed school budget before the Biddeford City Council this evening, March 17.
The city council is already wrestling with a proposed municipal budget that was presented last week by municipal department heads. That early proposal – subject to rigorous public review and likely cuts — reflects an increase of more than 11 percent over last year’s budget.
It is important to note that both the municipal and school budgets will likely be trimmed as the annual budget process begins in earnest later this month, including public hearings.
It is also important to note that the proposed city budget – even in its early and preliminary stage (which is likely to change significantly) — represents an increase over last year’s approved budget, not the actual spending that has been impacted this year by staff shortages and increased employee overtime costs.
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According to documents already available for public inspection, Ray will be giving councilors a detailed preview and assessment of the school department’s needs over the next fiscal year.
Ray’s planned presentation will include discussion of various “cost drivers” impacting the school department’s FY 2027 budget. Those increasing costs include salaries, increasing health insurance costs and the need for new positions.
Ray is also expected to detail the impacts of the state’s current school funding formula and review proposed legislation that would benefit communities such as Biddeford, where rising property value assessments trigger a requirement for a larger local share of public education costs.
Tonight’s Biddeford City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. and can be viewed remotely online, or via the city public access cable television station.
Ray’s slideshow presentation is included below as a PDF file.
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