School spending in South Portland would increase 3.5 percent under a 2014-15 budget proposal that voters will consider Tuesday.

The proposed $44.8 million budget is $1.5 million higher than the $43.3 million current spending plan, said city Finance Director Greg L’Heureux.

New positions proposed for the coming school year include an eighth-grade teacher, an autism specialist at the high school, and four special-education technicians, according to school board budget documents.

Meanwhile, the combined $32.5 million municipal and county budget proposal is up about $1 million over the current $31.3 million total.

If voters approve the school budget, the city’s tax rate is set to increase 52 cents, or about 3 percent, from $16.70 to $17.22 per $1,000 of assessed property value. At the higher rate, the annual tax bill on a $250,000 home would increase $130, from $4,175 to $4,305.

Copy the Story Link

Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.