Portland Schools Propose $180M Budget, Cutting 20 Jobs

Superintendent says reductions are necessary due to declining enrollment and rising costs, but teachers and parents oppose cuts to student-facing positions.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 2:49am

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The Portland school district has proposed a $179.9 million budget for the upcoming year, which would increase spending by 4.7% but also eliminate 20 positions, most of which are currently vacant. The budget cuts include six central office roles and seven school-based positions, as well as reductions to seven filled secondary school positions. Superintendent Ryan Scallon said the cuts are necessary due to $4 million less in state funding and rising personnel costs, but dozens of teachers, counselors, and social workers spoke out against the proposed reductions, arguing that student-facing roles are essential.

Why it matters

The proposed budget cuts come as many school districts in Maine are facing difficult financial situations, with South Portland considering nearly 80 position eliminations and Lewiston planning to cut 30 jobs despite an 11% spending increase. The Portland proposal also includes a longer-term plan to consolidate the district's three middle schools, which has drawn significant opposition from Lincoln Middle School staff and parents.

The details

Superintendent Scallon's $179.9 million budget proposal would eliminate six central office positions and seven school-based positions that are currently unfilled, as well as cuts to seven filled secondary school roles, including four and a half teaching positions, a dedicated substitute, a part-time guidance counselor, and a social worker. The district plans to offer similar positions to those affected, though it may require staff to move to different grade levels. The budget also calls for drawing $3.9 million from the district's fund balance, and includes additions like new curricula, a civil rights officer, an equity audit, and an assistant superintendent.

  • The Portland school board meeting where the budget proposal was presented took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • The board is expected to vote on the middle school consolidation resolution no earlier than March 24, 2026.

The players

Ryan Scallon

Superintendent of the Portland school district.

Colleen Demers

Guidance counselor at Portland High School.

Tiffany Dunn

Middle school social worker in the Portland school district.

Liz Guillereault

Science and math teacher at Lincoln Middle School in Portland.

Maya Lena

The only member of the Portland school district's curriculum committee who did not vote to advance the resolution to consolidate the district's three middle schools.

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What they’re saying

“I am deeply concerned that mental health professionals in this district are not valued. I urge the board to understand the scope and volume of the work that school counselors and school social workers do every day.”

— Colleen Demers, Guidance counselor at Portland High School

“Social workers and counselors are integral components of how Portland systems work, and when we are stretched too thin, we are not able to give each student the support and attention that they deserve. And yet the needs don't go away, the risk assessments don't go away, and the legal requirements we have to meet don't go away.”

— Tiffany Dunn, Middle school social worker

“This isn't work you want to stop. This isn't a group of teachers and students you want to split up. This momentum that we've gained has no price tag.”

— Liz Guillereault, Science and math teacher at Lincoln Middle School

What’s next

The Portland school board is expected to vote on the middle school consolidation resolution no earlier than March 24, 2026.

The takeaway

The Portland school district's budget proposal highlights the difficult financial decisions facing many school systems, as they balance rising costs, declining enrollment, and the need to maintain critical student-facing roles. The opposition to the proposed cuts underscores the importance of engaging the community and prioritizing the needs of students when making tough budgetary choices.