Dear Wiscasset Schools Community,

The 2026-27 school year is off to a terrific start and just like that, we’ve got the first three weeks behind us. The change of seasons is upon us and the future is looking bright indeed. I'd like to share a fe important updates with you here regarding the budget process and the work of the Wiscasset School Committee.

2026-27 Budget Process

The voters of Wiscasset narrowly rejected the School Budget for a second time on September 1st. This means we get to repeat the process again. The School Committee further reduced the budget and is now proposing a $10,630,432 budget for the 2026-27 school year. This presents a 1% reduction from last year’s budget and a 2.5% reduction in our ask of local taxation. To achieve this budget we made two rounds of reductions. First we cut $455,000 from our original proposal. These cuts included reductions in special education and general education ed techs, savings in speech and physical therapy, and cuts to staff training, professional development, and supplies. The second round of cuts was $105,000 made up of a full time special education teacher and a part time social worker. We have two more steps to fully adopt a budget - if the budget is rejected, we will repeat this process again:

Step One

Special Town Meeting: School Budget

September 29, 2026 ~ 6pm

Wiscasset Middle High School Gym

Please Attend!!

Step Two

Budget Validation Referendum

November 3, 2026 ~ 8am - 8pm

Wiscasset Community Center

Please Vote!!

Check out the full revised 2026-27 School Budget here.  

(https://www.wiscassetschools.org/o/wiscasset-school-department/page/revised-2026-27-proposed-budget)

School Committee News

The Wiscasset School Committee had a vacancy to fill and appointed Danielle Clarke to the seat. Danielle ran for the Wiscasset School Committee back in June and got 431 votes, which is quite a lot for a first elected position run! Kudos, Danielle! Danielle has children in the school and has been an active member and officer of PIE (Partners in Education) at Wiscasset schools. 

The School Committee will be holding a special meeting on September 29th at 5pm to adopt its 2026-27 meeting calendar and we look forward to welcoming Danielle into her new role at that time.

In other School Committee news, members have decided to add monthly workshops to their work in an effort to achieve their annual goals.  Annual goals adopted for the 2026-27 school year are to:

The hard work and focus of the School Committee is beginning to pay off; consistency and continuity have set the tone for the entire district and it shows. Our students and staff can feel the difference and they know they are valued. They know expectations for them are high and that we believe in their ability to achieve excellence. While Wiscasset has faced its share of challenges over the past few years, our students and staff are tough and resilient. In the face of adversity, we just get better. We show up and do our best every single day - it is the Wiscasset way. Have a great weekend, everybody, and until next time:

Onwards and upwards!

Dr. Kim Andersson

Superintendent of Schools