Lewiston council approves lower school budget to go to voters

LEWISTON — The City Council approved an amended school budget Thursday that reduces the city’s projected tax increase by 49 cents, clearing the way for a second referendum June 11. The vote was 5-2.

After considerable debate Wednesday, school officials ultimately supported reducing the proposed budget by $1.12 million in response to concerns from the City Council over the $111.47 million spending plan that was rejected by voters earlier this month.

A substantial portion of the amended budget hinged on council approval for the school district to use $650,000 from its special education reserve account.

Councilors Joshua Nagine, Susan Longchamps, Scott Harriman, Michael Roy and Tim Gallant voted to approve the budget.

Councilors David Chittim and Eryn Soule-Leclair voted against the budget. However, both councilors opposed the reduction for different reasons — Chittim believing the original budget should be restored, and Soule-Leclair stating the cuts were not enough to satisfy the public.

Under the previously proposed budget, the property tax rate would have increased by $3, to $33 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The school budget would’ve accounted for $2.39 of that increase, but under the new proposal, that is cut to $1.90.

If approved by voters, the new tax rate would increase by $2.51, to $32.51 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

During Thursday’s meeting, Superintendent Jake Langlais said the School Committee worked hard to reduce the tax impact of this year’s budget.

“I think it’s a pretty significant reduction,” he said.

Asked later what would occur if the second vote fails, Langlais said school officials would have to look at cuts to staff, as well as summer and after-school programs.

During the discussion, Chittim said he’s “saddened to feel that Lewiston does not value education to the extent that it merits.”

However, Soule-Leclair said she’s “not so sure the public is going to support this” due to the School Committee not cutting enough.

Other councilors said the changes made by the School Committee were a necessary response to concerns from residents, who are worried about tax increases coupled with a looming citywide revaluation.

Councilor Nagine urged school officials to “be clear with the public” about what the budget is funding and why.

“Or else I’m afraid we could be back here,” he said.

During public comment, some residents said they want to support the schools, and believe the budget should be higher, but that residents are concerned about high taxes.

“We’re worried,” Paula Frenette said. “The single-family homeowners are going to carry the burden for the city, schools and the revaluation. People on my street are already looking to sell before they even know the results.”

Pauline Gudas was more critical of the School Committee, saying they have been “arrogant” in their response to the rejection vote May 14.

“(The school district) has done a very poor job explaining their budget, but then say people who come out to vote don’t know what they’re doing,” she said. “Because of that attitude, I’m going to vote no.”

Mayor Carl Sheline said the School Committee meeting Wednesday following the council workshop Tuesday was a “show of good faith” and that “hard decisions needed to be made in light of voters’ feedback during the last vote.”

During his statement, Chittim said the proposed tax rate increase of $2.51 is an 8.3% increase from this year. He said he believes the city has been “falling further behind” because prior councils have made the tax rate the highest priority, but that “doing it year after year,” especially under inflation, “is not realistic.”