The UMaine System is facing a $36 million deficit. Reaction to the proposed cutbacks in USM faculty, staff and programs is immediate and highly critical.
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.
Alfond Foundation to award $500 to all Maine babies
The foundation has awarded nearly 23,000 grants worth almost $11.5 million since establishing the program in 2009.
Commission approves Maine’s first virtual charter school
But it rejects a second online school and a charter school accused of ‘lying’ on its application.
Decision day for three thorny charter school applications in Maine
A commission will vote on bids to open the state’s first virtual academies, and one with Turkey ties in the Lewiston area.
Cumberland County Civic Center renovations provide newer, bigger, more
After 15 months of work, the civic center will reopen this weekend to host a home and garden show.
First two Maine virtual schools get initial approval
The schools, whose previous proposals were rejected, will take the next step forward, as will a school operated by followers of a Turkish imam. A Montessori school is rejected.
Maine college affordability bills earn bipartisan pitches
The bills suggest, among other things, attending school for free and paying tuition back over time.
Maine committee: Use casino money to fund universal pre-K
Lawmakers vote to use funds already funneled into public education to help support early learning.
LePage nominates Rier for education commissioner
Jim Rier, who is acting commissioner, now faces confirmation by the state Senate.
Hundreds at Maine college urged to get TB test after possible exposure
A student at Central Maine Community College was hospitalized with an active case of TB, and free tests will be made available to those who may have been exposed.