Saco voters approve $59.9M school budget

[](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/election-2026/) _[Read all of our coverage](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/election-2026/) of Maine's 2026 election or stay up to date with the latest developments through the [Maine Political Report](https://www.pressherald.com/mprnewsletter/) in your inbox or [text messages](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/01/11/maine-political-news-sent-right-to-your-phone-sign-up-for-text-alerts-from-our-editor/) from politics editor Kirby Wilson._ Saco voters overwhelmingly approved the city’s proposed $59.9 million school budget during Tuesday’s election. According to initial results, 3,700 voters were supported the budget, while 1,046 were against. Another 123 voters left the budget question blank. A total of 4,869 Saco voters turned out for Tuesday’s election. Related [What you should know about Saco's proposed school budget](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/03/19/what-you-should-know-about-sacos-proposed-school-budget/) The spending plan represents about a $2.7 million, or 4.74%, increase over this year’s. The budget also will require a tax increase of almost 10%, according to Superintendent Jeremy Ray. The largest cost drivers for the increased budget include staff salaries and benefits, as well as increase in tuition costs at Thornton Academy, which the city pays for on behalf of residents. The higher tuition added about $1.1 million to the budget. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [community politics](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/community-politics/), [election](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/election/), [election 2026](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/election-2026/), [elections](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/elections/), [politics](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/politics/), [primary elections](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/primary-elections/), [saco schools](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/saco-schools/), [thornton academy](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/thornton-academy/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/sydney-richelieu) [Sydney RichelieuStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/sydney-richelieu) Sydney is a community reporter for Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel and previously reporter for the Courier and Post. Sydney grew up in Kennebunk and is a graduate. [More by Sydney Richelieu](https://www.pressherald.com/author/sydney-richelieu)