Cape decides school budget question (June 6, 2008)
By Nate Jones
Staff Writer
On June 10, Cape Elizabeth, residents will vote on the proposed $19.7 million school budget.
The Cape Elizabeth Town Council approved the budget, which reflects a 4.6 percent increase from last year, by a 4 to 3 vote on May 27.
The budget is roughly $260,000 less than the $19.9 million budget approved by the school board by a 4 to 3 vote.
“It’s not a perfect budget, but this democracy is not a perfect process,” Councilor Mary Anne Lynch said. “There is a benefit to getting this budget behind us.”
The $19.7 million budget allocates more than $2 million for student and staff support, almost $9 million for regular instruction and approximately $2.3 million for special education and nearly $2 million for facilities maintenance.
The town council also decided to include an advisory question on the ballot asking voters if they think the proposed school budget is too high or too low.
If voters fail to approve the proposed budget, the school board will have to propose and submit a new budget to the council. Another public hearing and a second referendum, scheduled for July 10, would follow. If the public does not accept a budget by July 1, the last budget to be approved by the school board will go into effect.
Editors note: The story “$31M school budget goes before voters” on page 1 of the May 30 Sentry incorrectly stated Cape Elizabeth residents will be asked to vote on the proposed $31 million school budget on June 10. The town council, by a 4 to 3 vote, adopted a $30.7 million overall municipal and school budget on May 27. That adopted budget includes a school budget of roughly $19.7 million. The Sentry regrets the error.
Staff Writer
On June 10, Cape Elizabeth, residents will vote on the proposed $19.7 million school budget.
The Cape Elizabeth Town Council approved the budget, which reflects a 4.6 percent increase from last year, by a 4 to 3 vote on May 27.
The budget is roughly $260,000 less than the $19.9 million budget approved by the school board by a 4 to 3 vote.
“It’s not a perfect budget, but this democracy is not a perfect process,” Councilor Mary Anne Lynch said. “There is a benefit to getting this budget behind us.”
The $19.7 million budget allocates more than $2 million for student and staff support, almost $9 million for regular instruction and approximately $2.3 million for special education and nearly $2 million for facilities maintenance.
The town council also decided to include an advisory question on the ballot asking voters if they think the proposed school budget is too high or too low.
If voters fail to approve the proposed budget, the school board will have to propose and submit a new budget to the council. Another public hearing and a second referendum, scheduled for July 10, would follow. If the public does not accept a budget by July 1, the last budget to be approved by the school board will go into effect.
Editors note: The story “$31M school budget goes before voters” on page 1 of the May 30 Sentry incorrectly stated Cape Elizabeth residents will be asked to vote on the proposed $31 million school budget on June 10. The town council, by a 4 to 3 vote, adopted a $30.7 million overall municipal and school budget on May 27. That adopted budget includes a school budget of roughly $19.7 million. The Sentry regrets the error.
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