Staff Writer 

South Portland residents have three days left to decide how they will vote in the second school budget validation referendum on June 9. The proposed $39.4 million school budget is the largest item that will be on two ballots during the referendum, but residents will also face decisions concerning school maintenance projects, stormwater upgrades and city charter amendments that could cost or save millions of taxpayer dollars.

The proposed $39.4 million 2010-2011 school budget is nearly $500,000 less than last year’s budget, with funding for transportation down more than $130,000 and student and staff support funding decreasing by nearly $191,000. The largest difference in the proposed school budget is the amount dedicated to regular instruction; this year more than $15 million will be used to pay teacher salaries and benefits, which is more than $310,000 than was provided last year.

Last week, the city council unanimously approved the proposed $39.4 million school budget. According to Superintendent Suzanne Godin’s budget documents, the reduced budget reflects the elimination of the equivalent of 16 full-time positions and puts more than $1.3 million in federal stimulus dollars to work for the school department. Combined with the already council-approved $27 million municipal budget, the school budget is expected to result in a zero percent increase to property taxes from last year, according to preliminary budget documents. 

The second ballot to be considered  asks residents to weigh in on two bond items. The first is a $5.8 million bond to fund maintenance projects – including new electrical and fire safety systems – at Mahoney and Memorial Middle Schools and South Portland High School. Of the $5.8 million, $2.3 million is set aside for the high school, $1.5 million for Mahoney Middle School and $1.8 million for Memorial Middle School. The projects address what Godin said she considers “absolute necessary needs” but will not satisfy recommendations from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) released in February. In its report the commission recommends the school install a $1.3 million security system, repair a crack that separates one classroom from the rest of the building and replace sodden ceiling tiles. Finance Director Greg L’Heureux has estimated the $5.8 million bond will cost the city more than $8.5 million with interest.

The second bond item on the additional ballot is a $3 million bond available through the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to repair a pump station behind Wild Willy’s restaurant on Western Avenue. Water Resource Protection Director Patrick Cloutier said the project could triple the capacity of the pump station, which collects stormwater and sewage from the sewer system underneath the Maine Mall area. For the past several years the pump station has been forced over capacity, which can result in stormwater and sewage overflow into the marine estuary portion of the Long Creek watershed, Cloutier said. 

By borrowing from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, L’Heureux has said the city will obtain the funds at a zero percent interest rate and up to 27 percent of the bond may not have to be repaid. Currently, however, it is against the city’s charter to borrow from the Maine Municipal Bond bank. 

The final question on the additional ballot proposes to amend the city charter to allow the council to bypass the public bidding process for bond items with a two-thirds vote. Currently, every bond item must be publicly advertised and bid on, regardless of available interest rates. The proposed charter amendment would allow the city to take advantage of the Maine Municipal Bond Bank without going through a public bidding process, which L’Heureux has estimated costs the city up to $30,000 per bond item. 

According to City Clerk Sue Mooney, polls will be open June 9 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the South Portland Community Center. For more information on the referendum visit www.southportland.org. 

Staff Writer Nate Jones may be reached at 282-4337 ext. 233.

School Budget Validation Question

A “Yes” vote supports the proposed $39.4 million school budget, which is expected to result in a 0 percent increase to property taxes from last year. If approved, the school will begin distributing and appropriating funds for the 2010-2011 school year.

A “No” vote does not support the proposed $39.4 million school budget, which is expected to result in a 0 percent increase to property taxes from last year. If rejected, the school board and city council will amend the school budget and have a second school budget validation referendum. 

Bond Referendum Question 1

A “Yes” vote supports a $5.8 million bond to fund maintenance projects at Mahoney and Memorial Middle Schools and the South Portland High School. If passed, the city may accept the funds, which will result in a total repayment of more than $8.5 million over the next 20 years.

A “No” vote does not support the $5.8 million bond to fund maintenance projects at Mahoney and Memorial Middle Schools and the South Portland High School. If rejected, the city may not borrow the funds.

Bond Referendum Question 2

A “Yes” vote supports a $3 million bond to fund upgrades the Long Creek pump station and a force main. If passed, the city may accept the funds, resulting in a total repayment of $3 million over the next 20 years.

A “No” vote does not support a $3 million bond to fund upgrades the Long Creek pump station and a force main. If rejected, the city may not borrow the funds.

Proposed Charter Amendment

A “Yes” vote supports an amendment to the city charter that would allow the city council to issue bonds without a public bidding process with a two-thirds vote. If passed, the charter will be amended. 

A “No” vote does not support an amendment to the city charter that would allow the city council to issue bonds without a public bidding process with a two-thirds vote. If rejected, the charter will remain unchanged and all bond items will be subject to the public bidding process.