School budget referendums pass in Portland, South Portland, Lewiston

Voters in Portland, South Portland and Lewiston approve school budgets on Tuesday

Portland, Maine – Voters in three of the state’s largest cities gave the green light to their school budgets on Tuesday, marking a rare moment of bipartisan agreement in local education funding. The ballots approved the new fiscal plans for the Portland School Department and the South Portland School District, while Lewiston’s budget, which had been rejected in a previous vote, was passed after revisions were made to address concerns raised by the community.

In Portland, the school board had proposed a budget that would increase funding for classroom resources and technology upgrades. The measure was carried with a decisive margin, reflecting broad support from parents, teachers and community leaders who had campaigned for a more modern and equitable education system.

South Portland’s vote followed a similar pattern. The district’s budget included provisions for expanded early‑learning programs and additional staffing to reduce class sizes. The measure passed with a comfortable majority, signaling satisfaction among residents with the district’s direction.

Lewiston’s experience was more contentious. The original budget had been voted down in a prior election, largely because voters felt it did not adequately address the city’s long‑standing infrastructure needs and teacher salary concerns. In the revised package, the school board increased capital spending for building repairs and raised the projected teacher salary budget. After the changes, the new Lewiston budget received the necessary majority on the ballot, giving the city a fresh start for the upcoming academic year.

The approvals come ahead of the start of the 2025‑2026 school year and are expected to streamline the planning and implementation process for the respective school districts. Local officials in all three cities have expressed optimism that the new budgets will support the educational goals of their communities and help address longstanding challenges in infrastructure, staffing and technology.