School budgets all pass

School budgets passed handily in all three towns at separate referendums held May 10.

Cape Elizabeth said yes to its $21 million school spending plan (up 2.6 percent) by a vote of 1,837-686.

South Portland voters approved the $42.8 million budget for their schools (up 1 percent) by a vote of 2,458-1,226. According to Rafe Forland, the school department finance director, the adopted budget will raise the city's property tax rate by 10 cents, based on projected property valuations. In other words, a resident with a home valued at $200,000 can expect a $20 increase in next year's property tax bill.

The only close vote was in Scarborough, where rumors ran rampant that a faction was gathering to vote down the budget so town councilors would beef it up on the second try. While votes were being counted, some local officials actually said they thought the budget would fail. Instead, the $35.7 million budget (up 1.62 percent) did pass by a slim margin, 856-753. The budget calls for the elimination of 17.6 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.

Scarborough’s budget, comprising school, municipal and county spending, is expected to increase the tax rate 36 cents, to $12.99 per $1,000 of valuation.