Support the FY2027 Yarmouth school budget
Your support matters:
May 7 Town Council @ Log Cabin @ 7:00
June 2 Town Meeting @ YPAC @ 7:00
June 9 Public Vote @ YHS
Yarmouth schools once set the standard for excellence in Maine. The proposed 2027 barely maintains this tradition of excellence. It has already been cut to the bone.
It is lean. It is responsible. Please support it.
For context, Yarmouth’s budget increase is among the lowest among our peers:
If anything, the Yarmouth budget is too lean – too low – threatening the quality of our schools.
Inflation adjusted, the Town’s own per-pupil spending has actually dropped steadily over the last 16 years.
Per-pupil spending – even with State support – is only in the middle of the pack among greater Portland and has been dead flat for many, many years.
Every Yarmouth school is cutting supplies and materials
YHS is shrinking it’s staff by 1 FTE – despite falling behind its peers in AP offerings
Advanced students are being pushed into COVID-era online classes for lack of teachers
Several programs have outgrown their staffing (e.g. STEM) to the point where students feel frustrated and are underserved.
It sustains a strong community for all of us:
Yarmouth is a wonderful place to live and work because of our schools and the quality of its graduates, many of whom choose to remain or return here.
New residents come here because of our reputation.
Our schools bind us together. Strong schools = strong sense of community = strong Yarmouth.
Schools sustain property values. If our schools fail, our property values will drop.
I.e. We all benefit from strong schools.
It helps educate the next generation – extremely well:
Yarmouth schools are the best in the State; we’re building on a tradition of excellence. Check it out.
YES had the highest standardized scores in the State of Maine this year.
YHS is consistently ranked at or near the top in the State. Check it out.
Schools determine our children’s and our collective success; Yarmouth’s schools are preparing the next generation to compete (and support us all).
It says “yes” to the future:
Despite the critical need for this budget, a handful of opponents have organized a “no” campaign.
A no vote or any effort to chip away at this budget would be awful for Yarmouth – for its kids, its residents, and its reputation.
A “yes” vote will reinforce our collective commitment – and solidify our reputation as a leader in Maine.
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Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself.