Biddeford schools report sharp ELL growth as refugee arrivals and homelessness strain staffing and services

Superintendent Jeremy Ray told the Biddeford School Committee on May 8 that the district’s English-language-learner (ELL) population has climbed sharply and is beginning to strain staffing and services. “Last October it was 200 and then this October it was 315 and we’re like at 337 by the time Chris wrote the memo,” Ray said, citing internal enrollment counts.

The committee heard that some of the growth is tied to new refugee arrivals and an increase in housing instability. Chris, a district staff member who prepared the enrollment memo and represents the district on a refugee-resettlement advisory body, said Catholic Charities and state resettlement planning have shifted more arrivals to southern Maine communities and that Biddeford’s refugee family count rose from about nine last year to “the thirties” now.

“That’s why they were there to help us,” Chris said of Catholic Charities’ work with the district, adding that serving students who do not speak a Romance language—for example Arabic speakers—requires substantially different time and resources to develop reading and writing in English.

Board members asked whether the district’s staffing plans match the new numbers. Ray said the approved budget already reclassified two ed-techs into ELL teaching positions but warned that the district “may be asking later this spring or early summer for a position” if final qualification data and placement analyses require more support. One board member noted the district currently has 13 staff working with ML/ELL students and questioned whether two additional staff will be sufficient; staff acknowledged that shortfalls remain possible and that any further hires will depend on available funding.

Staff described funding uncertainties that complicate hiring. Ray and Chris said some state hardship or growth funds arrive in arrears and cannot be spent until voters authorize them in the subsequent budget cycle. That timing, they said, makes midyear hiring a challenge and can force the district to rely on carryover savings or temporary measures until funding is confirmed.

Transportation and McKinney‑Vento protections were a central concern. Committee members asked whether the district must continue busing students who are temporarily housed outside Biddeford. Chris summarized federal guidance, saying that if a family becomes homeless and then secures housing shortly afterward the student can retain McKinney‑Vento eligibility through July 30, which can extend transportation obligations for continuity of education depending on circumstances.

Discussion also covered facilities planning: the recently designed primary school includes space to expand by four-plus classrooms, but staff warned that Lindsay’s Building could become a pinch point if growth concentrates in particular grade levels. Committee members and staff agreed to monitor enrollment closely and to revisit staffing requests if projected placements and test-qualification data indicate additional needs.

The superintendent and staff said they will continue searching for funding alternatives and will return to the committee with any formal requests for positions or budget adjustments. The district expects to keep the committee updated after the final spring qualification data are available.