Cape school budget vote seen as call for more money

Portland Press Hearld, Thursday, June 12, 2008

Cape Elizabeth town councilors say Tuesday's vote rejecting their proposed school budget was a mandate to increase school spending for the coming year.

Cape Elizabeth residents voted 1,891 to 1,250 to reject the $19.7 million school budget because the spending plan was too low. In a related advisory question on the ballot, voters were asked whether the school budget was too high or too low. Sixty percent voted that it was too low.

"I am glad the margin was wide because it shows pretty definitely what people are thinking," said Mary Ann Lynch, council chairwoman.

Heavy turnout at the polls was attributed to the issue, with 42 percent of the town's 7,660 voters showing up, compared to an estimated 16 percent statewide and 20 to 27 percent in the 1st Congressional District.

The Cape Elizabeth polls ran out of Democratic ballots twice during the day, and the town had to obtain special permission from the secretary of state to photocopy more ballots and count them by hand.

The vote followed weeks of debate between those who supported the Cape Elizabeth School Board's budget, which represents a 6 percent increase over this year's spending, and the supporters of the 4.6 percent budget increase approved by the Town Council.

In the past, the Town Council's vote would have stood. But under the new school district consolidation law, voters have the last say through an up-or-down referendum by paper ballot.

A handful of communities statewide have rejected school budgets under the process, but Cape Elizabeth may be the only district to have rejected the budget because it was too low.

The budget now goes back to the School Board for revisions. School Superintendent Alan Hawkins will come up with a new spending plan to put before the board.

He said that if he recommends keeping the budget increase at 6 percent, the Cape Elizabeth School Board would not have to revisit the issue and could send its original proposal back to the council without having to vote again.

Otherwise, the board would vote on any adjustments it decides to make. It would be then up to the council to approve the School Board's proposal or make changes. No later than 10 days later, the budget would go before voters again.

If voters reject it again, the last budget approved by the School Board or Town Council would become the operational budget until one is finally adopted by the voters.

Hawkins said he is working against the town's Aug. 20 goal for setting the property tax rate.

Supporters of increased school spending hailed the new budget referendum process that made it possible to override the Town Council for the first time.

Frank Governeli, a member of the pro-school-spending group, Citizen Advocates for Public Education, said the Town Council has consistently kept school budgets lower than voters wanted. He said he hoped the Town Council now recognizes the town is willing to bear higher taxes in exchange for good schools.

"The support is broader than just the school community," he said.

Hawkins said if a 6 percent increase is approved, the department would not have to lay off the curriculum director, a teacher and the three education technicians. Those cuts would be necessary under the 4.6 percent increase scenario.

Lynch said she does not expect Tuesday's vote to change the way she votes on the budget in the future. "I will continue to apply my best judgment and search for the middle ground," she said.

Staff Writer Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:

bquimby@pressherald.com