Bangor education group urges voters to back $43 million school budget

June 03--BANGOR, Maine -- A group of Bangor school employees is urging residents to hit the polls to support the $43 million school budget in the June elections.

The Bangor Education Association purchased 100 red campaign signs to be posted across the city, paid for with about $400 raised from members and donors through fundraising efforts, according to the organization. The BEA's operations are funded through small dues paid by its 300 members, ranging from teachers to custodians.

"I've been attending the school committee meetings and council meetings, and I know a lot of thought and effort went into this year's budget," BEA President Anne Mourkas, a teacher at James F. Doughty School said Tuesday. "As an association, we feel it's a fair budget for everybody."

Bangor residents head to the polls at Cross Insurance Center on June 10 to decide the fate of Superintendent Betsy Webb's proposed school budget. That budget garnered the approval of both the school committee and city council last month.

The $43 million budget isn't without its critics. Under the latest version, the combined city and school budgets are projected to add $1 to the current mill rate of $20.80. Earlier in the budget season, the city was looking at $1.50 hike to the mill rate, which since has been whittled down.

An effort by Councilor Nelson Durgin last month to force the school committee to slice $178,000 from its plan failed in a narrow 5-4 vote. City Councilors have voiced initial approval for $580,000 worth of cuts from the city's $49 million municipal budget plan, made in hopes of softening the tax hike.

Historically, Bangor residents have been supportive of school budgets on election day, but other towns, including Scarborough, East Millinocket, Millinocket and RSU 19 communities, each have rejected budget proposals in the recent past.

The BEA has posted campaign signs in advance of every recent school budget vote, Mourkas said. The group purchased new signs this year because the previous versions had been used for about five consecutive elections and most were lost, fading or damaged.

She said her organization fears that a rejection of the budget would lead to cuts that would put jobs, positions and educational quality in jeopardy.

"Our big concern is for the students," Mourkas said. "We believe the budget the way it is written is the best budget for the students."

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