Voters in at least five school districts across Maine earlier this month rejected school budgets that would have resulted in sizable property tax increases.
In other communities, budgets passed, but just barely. Gorham, for example, is gearing up for a recount this week after its budget passed by just four votes.
Steve Bailey, executive director of the Maine School Management Association, said the number of rejections and close votes was higher than usual this year, but he’s not sure if it’s a trend or just a blip.
“We’re surprised there weren’t more school districts voting ‘no,’ actually,” he said. “Not necessarily because of widespread pushback, but more so because of other types of things that have happened that put pressure on school budgets.”
“I hope it’s not a trend,” said Grace Leavitt, president of the Maine Education Association. “But relying on property taxes as much as we do is a …