When to vote:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, at Longley Elementary School

How much is the budget?

$68.8 million, a 6.3 percent increase over this fiscal year

Why is the budget higher?

Last fall, 250 new students enrolled; only 100 were predicted.

Next fall, about 160 more students are expected. In recent years, student population has grown by about 100 per year. Last fall’s enrollment was 5,470. Projected enrollment for September is 5,633. Lewiston schools will get more money from the state next year because of the larger population.

What’s in the budget?

* 45 new positions for special education, to cover more students with special needs and more in-house programs.

* 13 new regular classroom positions to cover higher enrollment. New teachers would be at Lewiston High School, and Farwell, McMahon, Geiger, Longley and Montello elementary schools. Of the 13 positions, six were hired last fall; seven more are proposed.

* Four new English Language Learner program positions because of higher enrollment.

* One new position at Lewiston Regional Technical Center to create a plumbing program.

* One new position for Star Academy at the armory next to Lewiston Middle School. The new hands-on learning program helps freshmen get extra help to graduate from high school on time. Star Academy will open with 80 students.

What’s the tax impact?

Taxes would be $34.50 more on a property valued at $150,000, if the proposed education budget is approved. However, because of savings in the city budget and a larger Homestead Exemption for many homeowners, ultimately, taxes on a $150,000 property would still go down by $101, from $3,856 to $3,755, and taxes on a $100,000 property would still go down by $109, from $2,487 to $2,378, according to City Manager Ed Barrett.

What if the budget isn’t approved?

State law requires a municipality to raise a certain amount toward its own education costs. The proposed school budget raises the legal minimum to get the full state subsidy.

If the school budget isn’t approved because it is considered too high, and cuts are made, the city would dip below the legal minimum and receive less state money: $2.50 less from the state for every $1 not raised. That means Lewiston would have to cut $3.50 in services for every $1 not raised locally, Superintendent Bill Webster said.

You also need to know:

* Lewiston schools: More kids. More needs. More money

* 45 more special ed positions: ‘Children are needier than they used to be.’

* Among the numbers: Immigrant family finds safety, good schools

* Robert Reed: Why I oppose the Lewiston school budget

* Heidi Sawyer: Why I am voting YES on the school budget