Biddeford committee schedules second budget reading after absentee‑ballot timing change

Superintendent Jeremy Ray told the committee he presented the proposed budget at the city council’s first reading with limited questions and strong support. He said a new absentee‑ballot requirement from the secretary of state requires ballots to be available 30 days before the June 11 referendum, prompting the committee and council to accelerate the second public hearing.

"We are scrambling or accelerating things to meet that deadline," Ray said. The second reading was scheduled for the following night at 6 p.m., and Ray urged committee members and the public to attend. Committee members and the superintendent noted the council’s continued support while acknowledging that numbers could still change on second reading.

Ray and a committee member said the district will continue discussions with the mayor’s coalition and other regional partners about state funding formulas and potential adjustments that could affect future budgets. No formal budget vote was taken by the school committee at the May 8 meeting; the item was set for the accelerated second reading.