← Gorham Guardian · All findings
Severity: critical · Category: revenue · Last updated: May 13, 2026 · Dollar amount: $13.9M
On May 12, 2026, the Gorham Town Council voted 5-2 to adopt the FY27 school budget (Order #26-52). The same order — in writing — appropriates $13,912,640 in 'additional local funds, which exceeds the State's Essential Programs and Services allocation model by $13,912,640.' The town's own paperwork acknowledges that nearly $14M of the school budget is for spending the State of Maine does not consider essential.
WHAT THE ORDER SAYS — VERBATIM
From Proposed Order #26-52, adopted by the Gorham Town Council 5-2 at the Special Meeting on May 12, 2026 (Burleigh Loveitt Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m.):
"ORDERED that $13,912,640 be raised and appropriated in additional local funds, which exceeds the State's Essential Programs and Services allocation model by $13,912,640 as required to fund the budget recommended by the School Committee.
$13,912,640 of FY27 school spending is, by the town's own adoption order, in excess of the State of Maine's Essential Programs and Services funding model — paid entirely by Gorham property taxpayers and not enumerated by line item in any voter-facing document
Document: Gorham Town Council Special Meeting — Agenda and Proposed Orders, May 12, 2026 (Order #26-52)
Reference: Order #26-52 — adopted 5-2 by the Gorham Town Council at the Special Meeting on May 12, 2026, Burleigh Loveitt Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m. (Public Hearing #1 on Item #2026-5-10)
Q&A: Not raised in Budget Workshop Q&A — the $13.9M above-EPS figure appears in the Town Council adoption order itself, distributed to attendees at the May 12 vote, after the public Q&A process closed