Citing the complexity of the proposal, the panel instead votes to set up a task force to study the issue and make a recommendation by December.
Noel K. Gallagher
Noel Gallagher covers K-12 and higher education issues statewide. Her stories are a mix of breaking news and trend stories. In recent years, they’ve ranged from why college costs so much, the launch of the state’s first charter schools, how a school welcomed a transgender student and why Maine schools have a hard time finding teachers. She’s enough of a news nerd to enjoy sitting through legislative education committee meetings and hours-long school board meetings so you don’t have to.
The Maine Press Association has honored Noel’s work, but she says she writes for the readers, in the firm belief that an informed citizenry is key to a healthy democracy.
Noel is a California native who has worked at wire services, online websites and newspapers across the country. She was in Washington D.C. during the early Clinton years, covering AIDS activism in 1990s San Francisco, documenting the business of wine in Sonoma County and riding out the boom and bust cycle of the early Internet era in early 2000s Silicon Valley. She arrived in Maine at the beginning of the recession and wrote quite a bit about the downturn here.
In her free time, Noel writes the occasional cookbook review, spends an inordinate amount of time at the Portland Public Library and hangs out with her three fabulous kids and wonderful husband. She is not a former member of the band Oasis.
Posted inCookbook Reviews, Food & Dining
When this cookbook says easy, it really means easy
‘Easy Chicken Recipes’ by Addie Gundry has approachable recipes that don’t necessarily require a trip to the grocery store.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland school finance panel rejects most proposed budget cuts
Members take the two island elementary schools off the chopping block and end up trimming just $1.4 million in spending out of the $3.8 million in reductions under consideration.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Dozens speak out against Portland school budget cuts
Superintendent Xavier Botana outlines $3.8 million in reductions made at the request of the school board’s finance committee.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Maine public will get a say on dropping proficiency-based graduation standards
Lawmakers decide that public testimony is needed on a proposal that would repeal one of Gov. Paul LePage’s signature education initiatives.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Critics say bill to shift special education services for children lacks details, clear funding
Even supporters say specifics – particularly on how school districts would be reimbursed – are needed before the state can transfer responsibility for the $30 million program.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
State proposes shifting responsibility to towns for special education for 3- to 5-year-olds
Legislation to be heard Monday would shift the job away from the Maine Department of Education, which is struggling to meet children’s needs.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Maine Crime
Chef who co-owned Zapoteca restaurant denies writing bad checks, her lawyer says
Shannon Bard, who faces civil judgments and criminal charges along with her husband, Thomas Bard, also says that the family has not moved out of state.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland council, school board brace for battle over the cost of education
Superintendent Xavier Botana’s $113 million budget proposal for the coming year would add $238 to the average homeowner’s tax bill. One councilor says difficult spending cuts are necessary.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland superintendent looks to cut proposed tax hike in half
The reductions could require increasing class sizes, closing island schools, charging students to play sports and eliminating some assistant principals.