What's Happening
South Portland Schools has proposed a $75.6 million budget for FY27 (2026-2027) — a 3.3% increase that still requires $8.4 million in cuts to bridge the gap between costs and revenue. The proposal includes eliminating 78 positions (12% of staff) and closing one elementary school.
This site translates the raw budget into forms that residents can actually use. Every claim is sourced from public meetings and official documents. The analysis is AI-assisted with full transparency about methodology and limitations.
Briefings & Analysis
View all →Start here — general briefings and independent analysis tracks.
General Budget Briefing
Comprehensive overview of the FY27 budget proposal, cuts, and major decisions ahead.
GeneralUpcoming Meeting Briefing
What to watch at the next budget meeting and what has changed since the last one.
AnalysisTransportation Analysis
Driver shortfalls, split-family counts, and fiscal exposure across the reconfiguration options.
AnalysisReconfiguration Context
The 2024 process — what the community said, what the Board directed, and what research says works.
Budget Community Lenses
View all →The same budget story told through the eyes of the people it affects — parents, educators, taxpayers, students, and the media covering the decisions.
Transportation Community Lenses
View all →What the transportation decision means for daily routines, costs, and responsibilities — told through seven public lenses.
General Community
Start with the whole-community transportation overview.
Community lensFamilies
For families planning daily pickup, drop-off, and care.
Community lensElementary Families
For elementary households adjusting to the new transportation plan.
Community lensStaff
For staff members coordinating schedules, routes, and daily routines.
Community lensTaxpayers
For residents tracking the cost and public follow-through.
Community lensOlder Students
For older students and the households that support them.