What happens if the referendum fails? How will that impact the Portland Public Schools?
The Portland City Council will schedule another referendum. Additional referenda will take place if needed, at a cost of about $20,000 per election, until a school budget wins voter approval. If a budget referendum is not successful by July 1, 2009, the start of the fiscal year, then the last budget approved by the Portland School Committee will take effect temporarily. Communities that have needed multiple votes to win approval of their school budgets find that it greatly complicates school planning, demoralizes staff and impacts the school districts reputation. Election costs can be considerable as well.
