The Lewiston School Committee is inching closer toward approving a budget for 2026-27.

At its Wednesday night workshop, Superintendent Jake Langlais shared updates to the $130 million proposal and answered specific questions.

Here are the highlights.

BOARD NOT READY TO VOTE

Despite several budget presentations and a few scenarios given by Langlais, committee members don’t feel they have the necessary information to vote on a budget.

A few members cited the lack of the city’s property revaluation results, while others said they do not want to cut any teaching positions that work directly with students.

Currently, 30 positions could be eliminated, seven of which are vacant.

“It feels like we have cut to the bone and now we are talking about amputation and I’m not ready for that,” said Elizabeth Eames, who represents Ward 3.

SEEKING CUTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

To minimize the potential effect on students, committee members asked Langlais to look for cuts in administration instead of cutting teachers and support positions.

The committee did not tell Langlais specifically what or where to cut, but to look at the administrative office.

 “I know it takes a lot of people to run this district and we are the second largest school district in the state, but we do not have the tax base,” Ward 2 committee member Janet Beaudoin said.

23 POSITIONS, $1.6 MILLION

If the committee decides to keep the 23 filled positions, it would cost an estimated $1.62 million. The seven vacant positions total around $963,264.

The committee has not decided exactly what positions to keep, if any, but discussions are on the table about retaining a few, including librarians and emotional support staff. Several committee members mentioned that without emotional support staff, students’ ability to learn will suffer.

ADDITIONAL SAVINGS

In combing through the budget, Langlais found about $755,000 in additional savings.

Most came from news that the school district’s health insurance increase will be no greater than 11.5% more than the current budget. Because the district budgeted for a 15% increase, Langlais could eliminate $455,000, or more once the district gets its actual rate.

Other savings were found by delaying modifying door handles to meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for another year, saving $111,000. The nutrition department found $100,000 in savings and a junior ROTC position of a recently retired teacher was still in the budget unnecessarily, eliminating just over $72,000.

REFERENDUM CAN’T BE MOVED

Conversation at a previous committee meeting suggested advancing the budget referendum date while the city waits for its revaluation results, but Langlais said it’s not possible.

The city charter requires budget approval by May 31.

The current budget, which ends June 30, is already overspent.

The City Council will provide feedback on the budget April 7 with a goal of approving it May 5. The referendum is May 12.