Question 1

Q55 (originally Q43): Would it be possible to see a 5 (or 10?) year history looking at what we projected the mil rate impact to be during the time of the budget approval process, side by side to the…

Accepted Answer

The district confirmed the actual FY26 school mill rate wound up being 9.54 — a decrease of 0.30 from the approved rate. The district provided a historical chart showing projected vs. actual mil rates and acknowledged the gap between projections and actuals.

Question 2

Q65 (originally Q50): Do we have an official number yet for what, if anything, is in the fund balance?

Accepted Answer

The district confirmed a draft of the FY25 school financial reports existed and would be shared during a Monday night fund balance presentation. The question confirmed a fund balance exists but did not address why the $1.355M FY26 draw disappears in FY27 or its impact on taxes.

Question 3

Q13 (originally Q9): With the Middle School Enrollment being down from its peak, is there an opportunity to make shifts in staffing either up or down based on grade level needs?

Accepted Answer

The district confirmed the Gorham Middle School ratio is 23.8:1 — the highest in Cumberland County. Even after the bubble class moves on in 2027-28, the projected ratio of 23.2:1 will still be the highest in the county. The district stated the challenge is 'not simply tied to one large cohort, but to overall staffing levels relative to enrollment.'

Question 4

Q18 (originally Q14): Is the $100,000 mini-bus purchase for a specific bus outfitted to transport 3-4-year-olds?

Accepted Answer

The district confirmed: 'This was a request made by Transportation to add a mini-bus to the fleet. This request did NOT make it into the FY 27 Superintendent's proposed budget.' The question touched SpEd transportation but did not address the 41% driver wage cut.

Question 5

Q74 (originally Q58): Can you explain why it looks like the Transportation Director is getting a $20,000 raise after 1 year of employment and the Facilities Director is getting a $40,000 raise after…

Accepted Answer

The district explained that prior to FY26, one person managed both departments with salary split 75/25 between Facilities and Transportation. When Transportation was separated into its own department in FY26, the full Facilities salary moved to one budget line. Both directors received the same standard 4% admin increase — the apparent large raise is an accounting artifact of the departmental reallocation.

Question 6

Q16 (originally Q12): Under the Gorham High School budget narrative (pg. 63), it states the proposal of 2.5 full-time equivalent. I only see narratives for Social Studies and World Languages. Is the…

Accepted Answer

The district disclosed the full four-position, two-year plan: FY27 adds Social Studies + 0.5 World Languages. FY28 plans to add Health/PE + English. The Superintendent confirmed: 'We didn't want to wait and request all of them in one year.' In year 2 or 3, a math teacher will also be needed.

Question 7

Q26 (originally Q22): Has there been a small trial of Magic School AI and what kind of feedback has been provided? Q27 (originally Q23): Does this subscription support any recommendations coming from…

Accepted Answer

Q26 (originally Q22): The district confirmed staff spent a year experimenting with free versions of MagicSchool, School AI, Khanmigo, and ChatGPT. MagicSchool was selected based on cost and protections offered. Q27 (originally Q23): The AI committee has been developing handbooks and discussing professional development needs, supporting the platform choice.

Question 8

Q41 (originally Q36): I have clarifying questions regarding the Capital Improvement Projects Project #3 for the MS Adult Ed Security/Special ED Quiet Room. If the purpose of the wall/security door is…

Accepted Answer

The district explained the adult education students currently enter via the back entrance adjacent to the back parking lot at Gorham Middle School. The wall/security door project addresses access control between adult ed students and the rest of the building. This addresses one specific Capital Improvement Projects security project but not the broader security services contract.

Question 9

Q55 (originally Q43): Would it be possible to see a 5 (or 10?) year history looking at what we projected the mil rate impact to be during the time of the budget approval process, side by side to the…

Accepted Answer

(Feb 27, 2026) The district stated the FY26 actual mill rate was 9.54 — a decrease of 0.30 from the approved 9.84. (Apr 28, 2026) The Joint Workshop slide deck instead lists the FY26 actual as 9.49 — and assigns 9.54 to FY25 actual. The two official answers conflict and no reconciliation has been published.

Question 10

Q55 (originally Q43): Would it be possible to see a 5 (or 10?) year history looking at what we projected the mil rate impact to be during the time of the budget approval process, side by side to the…

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Superintendent confirmed the data exists ('typically something we put in the Town Council budget booklet') and referenced 'the chart below' in the written answer — but the public Google Doc version of the Q&A shows the chart as a removed image. The only numerical answer text given was the FY26 actual of 9.54 (which Flag #34 documents as conflicting with the April 28 slides' 9.49).

Gorham, Maine Schools — FY27 School Budget Watch

Topics

Selected findings