BIDDEFORD — Voters in Biddeford validated the $39.2 million school budget 3,002 to 701 on Tuesday, July 14. The budget had been approved by the City Council in May.
The taxpayer contribution to the budget is pegged at $19.2 million, about .80 percent more than in the current year.
In all, 25.06 percent, or 3,782 of Biddeford’s 15,094 registered voters cast ballots in the July 14 election.
Voters also approved a five-year, no interest bond for security upgrades and other improvements at three schools in which 46.46 percent of the payback will be forgiven. The vote was 2,678 votes in favor to 1,027 against.
The vote allows the city to borrow $844,439 from the Maine School Revolving Renovation Fund for security upgrades at Biddeford Primary School, Biddeford Intermediate School and the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology. The funds would also be used for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance at the primary school and technology center.
The financing package allows $392,326 to be forgiven, and the city would pay back $452,133 at zero percent interest over five years.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less