I am writing regarding the Aug. 10 article “Maine’s school funding formula has long been called inequitable. Changing it is complicated.” The article makes the same mistake that many make; treating as fact the fiction that the state is paying 55% of public education costs.

In reality, the state is funding 55% of what it defines as the programs and resources necessary to achieve Maine’s educational standards or EPS allocations (essential programs and services) on a statewide basis. But if we look at what schools are spending — as measured by the amount of property taxes they raise, plus the amount of state funding they receive — the picture is much different.

Yes, using assessed valuations as a measure of the ability to pay is problematic for several reasons. And yes, changing the basis for allocating state funding will come down to elected officials picking winners and losers. But the more pressing issues are controlling public education costs and bringing those costs and state funding into alignment. It is time for state leaders to deliver what the voters asked for over 20 years ago when they approved a ballot measure asking for 55% of education costs to be shifted to the state to reduce property taxes.

Bob Lain
Nobleboro