The city of Portland will hold a special municipal election on Tuesday, May 10, for Portland residents to vote on the school budget. The polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
The City Council will vote May 2 to approve the school budget and send it to referendum May 10 for final approval by the public. The council’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers in City Hall.
The Portland Board of Public Education has recommended a $103.6 million FY2017 school budget to the council. School board Finance Committee Chair Anna Trevorrow says the school budget proposal is "financially responsible" while also remaining "true to the priorities of the district."
The budget contains about $1.4 million less in state education aid than the district received for the current fiscal year. It would increase expenditures by .8 percent and require a 2 percent tax rate increase. It would add 21 cents to the property tax rate in Portland, or $21 per $100,000 of the assessed value of a Portland home.
Absentee ballots for the May 10 school budget referendum are available in the City Clerk’s office after the City Council approves the school budget on May 2.
For voters going to the polls, based on your residency, you must vote at your designated polling place for the May 10 school budget referendum.
District Name of Bldg Street Address
1-1 East End Community School 195 North Street
1-2 Merrill Rehearsal Hall 20 Myrtle Street
1-3 Community Hall Peaks Island
2-1 Reiche School 166 Brackett Street
2-2 Exposition Building 239 Park Avenue
3-1 Woodfords Church 202 Woodford Street
3-2 Italian Heritage Center 40 Westland Avenue
4-1 St. Pius Church 492 Ocean Avenue
4-2 First Baptist Church 360 Canco Road
5-1 Deering High School Gym 370 Stevens Avenue
5-2 Grace Baptist Church Gym 476 Summit Street
Office hours of the City Clerk/Registrar are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for any resident wishing to register to vote.
Due to State Law Title 21-A 753-B (2) (D) there is no absentee voting three days before any election. On Thursday May 5, the City Clerk’s office will extend its hours until 7 p.m. May 5 will be the last day for absentee voting.
For more information call 874-8677 or go to www.portlandvoters.com to locate your correct polling place.