South Portland schools could cut nearly 80 positions

The district's proposed budget for 2026-27 includes reducing 42 teacher positions and other staff cuts to hold the tax increase to 6%.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

South Portland schools are proposing to cut 78 positions, including 42 teacher positions, 16 educational technicians and clerks, and 14 food service, transportation and custodial staff, in order to keep the tax increase in their proposed 2026-27 budget to 6%. The school district needs to cut about $8.4 million from its current operations to meet the City Council's target tax increase rate.

Why it matters

The proposed staff reductions are a significant cut that will impact the school district and community. With depleted savings and pressure to limit the tax increase, the school board is faced with difficult decisions that could affect student outcomes and school operations.

The details

The school department says it needs to slice about $8.4 million from its current operations to hold the tax increase in its proposed budget to 6%, the higher end of what school board members and city councilors have recommended. In addition to reducing 42 teacher positions, the cuts include 16 educational technicians and clerks, 14 food service, transportation and custodial staff, 4 non-bargaining members, and 2 building administrators - a 12% reduction in staff. About 20 of these reductions are accounted for by vacancies, retirements and resignations.

  • The school department is reviewing seniority lists and lists of potentially impacted staff with all association leaders this week.
  • Staff members who would be impacted would be notified within the next two weeks.

The players

Johanna Prince

Assistant Superintendent of South Portland schools.

Rosemarie De Angelis

Chair of the South Portland School Board.

Sarah Gay

President of the South Portland teachers' union.

Jen Fletcher

Middle school music teacher in the South Portland school district, where she has taught for 8 years.

Eleni Richardson

Member of the South Portland School Board who recommended going back to the City Council to bump the school district's tax increase from 6% to 8%.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'd like to know how we know this one is the best possible plan. For student outcomes, industry best practices, and meeting state and federal guidelines.”

— Sarah Gay, President of the teacher's union (pressherald.com)

“It feels like Groundhog's Day. But we don't know how it's all going to shake out this time.”

— Jen Fletcher, Middle school music teacher (pressherald.com)

“It's like the 'Hunger Games'.”

— Jen Fletcher, Middle school music teacher (pressherald.com)

“It's like an additional Netflix subscription a month.”

— Eleni Richardson, School Board member (pressherald.com)

“They gave us a recommendation for a reason. I worry that South Portland residents may vote down a budget with higher percent increase than years past.”

— Abby Anderson, Vice president of the teacher's union (pressherald.com)

What’s next

The school department is reviewing seniority lists and lists of potentially impacted staff with all association leaders this week, and staff members who would be impacted would be notified within the next two weeks.

The takeaway

The proposed staff cuts in South Portland schools highlight the difficult budget decisions facing school districts as they balance the need to control tax increases with maintaining quality education programs and staffing. The situation raises concerns about the impact on student outcomes and the morale of teachers and staff who face job uncertainty.