OPINION | Superintendent makes the case for Biddeford’s school budget

Jeremy Ray describes this year’s school budget as ‘a smart investment in our kids’ and explains the rationale and purpose behind the spending plan

By JEREMY RAY | Biddeford Schools Superintendent

On June 9, Biddeford voters will weigh in on the FY27 school budget. The story behind that vote is one of a community that has, year after year, put its children first while being careful with every dollar taxpayers send to the schools.

Those two commitments — supporting our kids and respecting our taxpayers — aren’t in conflict here. They’re the whole point.

This year’s school budget carries a 2.9 percent increase to taxpayers. That number matters — but so does the track record behind it.

Below inflation for 14 years

Over the last 14 years, the increase to Biddeford taxpayers for schools has averaged just 2.81 percent a year, while the cost of living rose an average of 2.91 percent a year. In other words, the cost of our schools has grown more slowly than the everyday costs our families face — groceries, fuel, heating oil. Very few districts, or public bodies of any kind, can say that.

That discipline doesn’t happen by chance. It takes planning, shared services, chasing every grant and outside dollar, and knowing Maine’s school funding formula inside and out. Biddeford’s leadership worked hard alongside our state legislators to push forward LD 2226, a major school-funding reform now signed into law — a significant win that stands to bring real state support home in the years ahead.

The people who make it work

The real reason this works is the people in our buildings. Biddeford’s teachers and staff stretch fewer dollars further than almost anyone — and never lose sight of the children in front of them. They meet kids exactly where they are: the student who finally catches up because someone stayed after to help, the child carrying more than any kid should who finds a steady adult who believes in them. They feed kids who come to school hungry, mentor those who need a champion, and stay late to coach and lead clubs.

The same is true of the ed techs, counselors, bus drivers, food service staff, and custodians — people who give far more than any job description requires, because here the work is a calling, not a job.

The honest truth is that our needs are even greater than this budget reflects — and they run in every direction. Higher poverty, more students with significant needs, and rising special education costs push hard on one end. But just as real is the other: students who are excelling need to be challenged, not left to coast — more advanced and honors courses, dual-enrollment, and AP options.

And growing our Vocational Center matters just as much, opening another door for a student to build a marketable skill and step onto a path toward a career or further education. We feel that pressure every day — but we also understand our responsibility to taxpayers, so we build a disciplined budget and squeeze every dollar to do the most good.

“Biddeford’s teachers and staff
stretch fewer dollars further
than almost anyone — and
never lose sight of the
children in front of them.“

We do more with less — and our neighbors prove it

Biddeford spends about $16,467 per student — roughly $2,000 below the state average of $18,472, and less than every neighbor around us:

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We educate one of the highest-need student populations in the region for less than every one of these towns — and more than $10,000 less per child than York.

Imagine what our kids could do if Biddeford were simply funded like the average Maine community: smaller classes, more electives, more reading and math support, expanded arts. We’re not asking to outspend wealthy neighbors — just showing how much our students already achieve on less.

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Our kids are thriving — in and out of the classroom

You can see the results everywhere. A record 225 students were honored at the Center of Technology — the largest class in its history — heading into careers, apprenticeships, the military, and college, including a signed apprenticeship with Pratt & Whitney.

A BHS junior took first place in a statewide App Challenge, a senior earned the Maine Principals’ Association Principal’s Award, and Biddeford squads advanced to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Our Marching Arts program swept first place across all three high school ensembles at the New England Winter Finals. On the field, baseball brought home a Class A state championship, girls basketball captured a regional title, and field hockey reached the Class A South final three years running.

A growing share of our students take part each year — in sports, the arts, and clubs of every kind. We want our kids involved, and more of them are stepping through those doors every year.

Holding the line hasn’t meant standing still. Every new position and program in this budget was carefully thought out — added only after weighing the need, the cost, and the available revenue. The district built a new Center of Technology addition at zero cost to local taxpayers through competitive grants, and our vocational programs are state-funded, year after year.

We bonded for a new addition at Biddeford Primary School to solve longstanding challenges at the JFK building; at about $9 million to taxpayers, that bond avoided a renovation costing $20 million or more while creating greater efficiencies across our schools. And we’ve sustained a long-standing partnership with Dayton and Saco to share services and cut duplicated costs. None of this happens alone — our School Committee and City Council have consistently stood behind our students and staff.

Why the facts matter on June 9

It’s easy to demand budget cuts and insist on no loss of service — to want more from our schools while wishing it cost less. But those can’t both be true by wishing. A strong school system requires investment, and every teacher, program, and opportunity carries a real cost. You can’t cut your way to excellence.

What Biddeford can point to is value: a below-inflation increase, per-student spending among the lowest in Southern Maine, state-funded programs, and dedicated staff and students winning, serving, and leading across the state. On June 9th, voters will decide. We simply ask that the decision be made with the facts in hand — because when the facts are clear, the value Biddeford delivers for its children speaks for itself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Jeremy Ray has served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Biddeford School Department since July 2012. Under his leadership, which also includes managing the Dayton and Saco school systems, he was named the Maine Superintendent of the Year in 2023.

NOTE | The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Biddeford Gazette, its staff, affiliates or sponsors. We encourage robust and diverse community conversations on topics related to the city of Biddeford. For information about how to submit your own column, please CONTACT US

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