School Board Workshop and Business Meeting 03/19/2026

The Scarborough Maine Public Schools held a School Board Workshop and Business Meeting on March 19, 2026. The meeting included recognitions of staff and student athletic achievements, followed by a detailed presentation of the FY27 school budget. Key procurement-related discussions focused on personnel costs, which constitute over 81% of the budget, including wages, salaries, and benefits. The board is negotiating with education support professionals and budgeting for an estimated 14% increase in health insurance costs, primarily with Anthem Health Insurance. Special education needs are rising, prompting requests for six new educational technician positions and additional part-time speech and occupational therapy roles. The budget also includes funding for expanding the pre-kindergarten program, with an estimated cost of $427,000 offset by nearly $700,000 in state general purpose aid. Capital improvement projects totaling approximately $2.3 million were outlined, covering technology upgrades, safety and security enhancements, bus replacements, and facility maintenance. The board discussed strategies for reallocating staff to meet student needs and managing federal grant funding with an emphasis on local budget allocations to ensure service continuity. Several motions were passed, including approval of donations to school libraries and the backpack nutrition program. The board also addressed concerns about rising insurance premiums and supply chain challenges affecting technology procurement. Overall, the meeting emphasized strategic budgeting to address increasing personnel and special education costs while maintaining educational services and infrastructure.