The parents of Anie Graham say they learned about the bullying by looking at their daughter’s social media accounts after she died.
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.
Maine Legislature’s education panel votes 6-5 against statewide teachers contract
Opponents including the Maine Education Association said the bill wouldn’t guarantee higher starting teacher pay and would take control away from districts.
UMaine system schools to raise tuition for first time in 6 years
The average increase of 2.5% will bring the average in-state tuition, room and board to $17,486 annually.
UMaine System trustees approve reorganization at Presque Isle campus
They cut some administrative positions and merge two colleges there as they continue to streamline operations to reduce costs.
LePage pledges to match donations for charter school robotics team
The governor said he would match up to $25,000 to benefit Baxter Academy’s robotics team, one of several in Maine that have traveled to competitions in other states.
Maine family gives $50 million ‘transformational’ gift to Bates College capital campaign
The gift from Alison Grott Bonney and Michael Bonney, believed to be the largest ever to a Maine school, is announced as part of a five-year, $300 million capital campaign.
Maine lawmakers reject 2 bills to loosen restrictions on guns at schools
One measure would have allowed the carrying of concealed weapons at colleges, the other would have allowed guns in cars at K-12 school pickup and drop-off areas.
Trump administration to review national monument designation of Katahdin Woods and Waters
The monument in Maine’s north woods is among 22 that are being reviewed to determine whether there was adequate public input before their designation.
Bill calling for statewide teachers contract gets cool reception
Proponents say it would level the playing field between rich and poor districts, but critics say communities would lose local control.
Bill would set Maine teacher salaries at minimum of $40,000
The current minimum of $30,000 was set in 2005, and the state funding that helped districts meet the requirement was eliminated in 2012-13.