BIDDEFORD — Biddeford High School students were chanting outside of Biddeford City Hall for about an hour Wednesday afternoon, and horns being sounded in support were heard from a number of passing vehicles. The students were protesting the proposed school budget, to be voted on tonight along with the city budget, which includes cuts in school staff and activities.

The proposed $23.1 million city budget is up for final approval tonight. The proposed school budget is $27.8 million, approximately $500,000 less than an earlier version of that budget. The council directed that both budgets require no increase to the tax rate.

“Stop the cuts,” “School is worth it,” and “We’re the future” were some of the chants by the 30 or more students who gathered outside City Hall holding picket signs.

“The cuts are wrong,” said Craig Anton, a senior at BHS. Although he won’t be affected by the cuts because he’s about to graduate, Anton said, “People under me should be getting the same education I got.”

“Cutting education,” said Junior Class President Noel Berube, “It’s not the right choice.” He said it was ironic that voters approved a bond for the high school renovation and now the council wants to cut the education budget.

“I don’t think it’s good,” said freshman Desiree Bourque. “A lot of sports teams are getting cut,” she said, and sports “are prime for kids’ development.”

Freshman Tom Laverriere said he attended the protest to oppose the dissolution of the BHS marching band, another victim of budget cuts.

“We can’t afford to lose it, it’s a really valuable part of our school,” he said, adding that the loss of the marching band would impact football and cheerleading since the band performs at sports games and pep rallies.

“I feel my education shouldn’t suffer,” said Mireille Beaudoin, a junior. She said she wants to get a good education at high school so she can go on to college and eventually give back to her community.

“We need the voice of the students to be heard more than anything,” said Nate Proctor, a junior, who helped organize the protest.

He said he was especially disturbed by the cuts to the maintenance budget. He said cuts to that budget in the past have led to the need to spend more than $30 million to renovate the high school.

“The lesson hasn’t been learned,” he said.

Roberta Bernier, a member of the School Committee, was the only adult who protested the cuts along with the students. She said she, and Ryan Fecteau, a student representative on the committee, were the only two who voted against the school budget.

Bernier said she was especially concerned with $400,000 in cuts to the special education budget. Her son takes special education classes at Biddeford Middle School, where one of the teachers will be replaced, she said.

The cuts mean students “are not going to get the same services,” said Bernier’s daughter, Kelsae. “Without them, we’re basically failing them (the students) at life.”

At one point during the protest, Mayor Joanne Twomey addressed the students.

“I’m so proud of all of you,” she said. “I’m glad you’re fighting for what you believe in.”

Maybe some of the cuts can be stopped, Twomey told the students. She said a bulletin from the Maine School Management Association said that state revenues are up.

The bulletin, dated June 1, says that state revenues are estimated to be $40 million ahead of the budget through the end of May.

However, it’s unclear if this would have any effect on state aid to education.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.