Democracy Comes to Bangor

A recent article in the Bangor Daily News ("Voters to have say in school budget") spells out a sea-change in the way many larger municipalities in Maine will handle their school budgets.

Until now, the school budget has been developed and adopted by elected officials. The school committee developed it and presented it to the City Council, which held first and second readings and then adopted it. Those steps must still be taken.

But the school budget now must also be validated by resident voters at the polls.

What a revolutionary change!

Some, such as Superintendent Robert "Sandy" Ervin, are understandably nervous:

Bangor has a longstanding history of supporting education and with good result, and I have no reason to believe they'll suddenly abandon the children at this time.

I'm sure they won't! Too bad it's all about who gets the money though.