Cape Elizabeth Middle School

Voters will weigh in on June 10

For Immediate Release

April 9, 2025 – At the April 8 regular business meeting the Cape Elizabeth School Board unanimously approved the proposed school budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The budget will be presented to the Town Council on Monday, April 28.

This year’s budget process was especially challenging, as the district is set to receive nearly

$800,000 less in state subsidy than the current year. Despite that, the School Board and district and school leadership worked collaboratively to craft a budget that protects the excellence of Cape Elizabeth’s school programming while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

“We are proud to put forward a budget that makes no cuts to educational programs, retains all currently filled staff and teacher positions, and fully funds our maintenance and repair needs,” said School Board Chair Phil Saucier. “This is no small feat, given rising insurance premiums and the significant loss of state aid. Superintendent Dr. Chris Record and his team have done exceptional work stewarding district resources and preparing us to weather a year like this.

Their long-term planning and careful financial management have made it possible to sustain the excellence our community expects.”

The budget includes one of the lowest expenditure increases in years and is expected to result in one of the smallest tax increases Cape Elizabeth taxpayers have seen in recent years.

Superintendent Dr. Chris Record echoed that sentiment. “We are very pleased to offer a budget that continues to deliver excellent education to all of our amazing students,” he said. “This is only possible because of our outstanding staff and teachers, who bring talent, heart, and dedication to our schools every single day. I’m incredibly proud that every currently filled position remains in place for next year, and that we’ve preserved full funding for our facilities and infrastructure. This budget represents one of the lowest expenditure increases in years, and it reflects the strategic, thoughtful work of our entire leadership team.”

Since Dr. Record joined Cape Elizabeth in 2021, the district has worked diligently to build its fund balance – often called a “rainy day fund” – allowing for greater flexibility in challenging financial years like this one.

“This budget reflects hundreds of hours of hard work, detailed analysis, and collaboration between the board, district leaders, and our community,” Saucier added. “It balances the need for fiscal prudence with our shared commitment to excellence in public education.”