Wiscasset's would-be 2026-27 school budget passed with no changes April 29 in Wiscasset Middle High School's Stover Auditorium, sending the $11.2 million offer intact to an up or down vote at the polls June 9.

Nothing was unanimous, and resident Ed Polewarczyk restated his recent public comments calling Wiscasset's academic performance unacceptable and the budget, excessive. Moments earlier, in a school committee meeting to present the budget offer, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson said the schools are appropriately staffed and "work every day to meet every kid exactly where they are."

On every item decided by raising pink voting slips in the air, most voters raised theirs in favor; and a secret ballot item ran 69 yes, 21 no, moderator Susan Blagden announced. That question read: "To see what sum the Town will be authorized to raise and appropriate in additional local funds for school purposes ... The Wiscasset School Committee recommends $3,540,663 which exceeds the State’s Essential Programs and Services allocation model by $3,490,663 as required to fund the budget recommended by the school Committee. The school committee gives the following reasons for exceeding the State’s Essential Programs and Services funding model by $3,490,663: The additional local funds represent local costs to support the Wiscasset School Department school programs that are not included in the State’s funding model, including costs for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, transportation, school and system administration, and special education services."

Polewarczyk opposed a proposed $3,793,799 for regular instruction. "I am an advocate of education ... Every kid in the state of Maine should have a great education," and he is "very disappointed" in Wiscasset Middle High School's academic performance, he said. Also citing comparably high per-student costs and low student-teacher ratios, Polewarczyk said, "My conclusion, performance is unacceptable, cost is excessive, I urge the assembly to vote against the motion." The article passed.

Polewarczyk then spoke against a proposed $2,866,900 for special education instruction. "Ditto ... This is excessive, and performance is unacceptable." That article also passed. 

In the night's school committee meeting, Andersson gave information and comments on the schools. She said 35 of the department's 49 teachers have over 10 years' experience, and new teachers get "a highly qualified professional" as a mentor.

"In our small school environment, we know every one of our kids, and we love them," Andersson continued. "And this knowledge and this love is what makes what we do possible every day. It's very special, what we have here in Wiscasset."

She also praised the custodial and food service staff as probably some of the department's most important people. "They keep our hallways clean, our bathrooms clean, and they keep our bellies full with nourishing food so our students and our staff are ready to learn."

Andersson said her goal for every student is for them to someday see themselves as she sees them: With promise. "We inspire growth and change for all learners. We work every day to meet every kid exactly where they are ... There are 366 students here pre-K through (grade) 12. I want to celebrate that number. We are so fortunate to be able to offer a number like that. It's almost like a private school here in our small town. So, we are very lucky. People should come here for this."

The budget offer is 4.4% higher than 2025-26's budget, and the local ask is up 7.8%, Andersson has said.

Responding to a request for comment April 30 about the special town meeting's outcome, Andersson said, "For our staff, our students, and our community overall to see the overwhelming vote of support for the work we do every day for student learning is incredibly gratifying. I’m proud of the tremendous effort my administrative team and the Wiscasset School Committee collectively put in to this budget. It supports our objective of inspiring growth and change for all learners. Thank you, Wiscasset!"