More families are choosing to home-school or send their children to private schools, and the drop in public school enrollment can have financial implications for districts.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Bishop urges Maine Catholics to receive COVID vaccine, allaying concerns about use of fetal tissue
Some Catholics have questioned whether they should be vaccinated if tissue from aborted fetuses was used to develop or test the COVID-19 vaccines.
Staffing shortages caused by COVID exposure forcing some Maine schools to go remote
As more teachers and staff quarantine because of coronavirus exposure, school districts are struggling to find enough substitutes to keep buildings open for in-person learning.
Death of Brunswick teen who took his life a sign of pandemic’s toll on young people
The midcoast community is mourning the loss of a high school football player whose parents have cited the coronavirus pandemic as a factor affecting their son’s mental health.
More than 61,000 Mainers still without power after weekend storm
Some Central Maine Power customers are not expected to see electricity restored until Wednesday night.
Maine schools stick to in-person instruction as coronavirus numbers rise
COVID cases are increasing in schools, but officials say they have seen little evidence of transmission in school buildings and plan to continue offering in-person learning as long as it’s safe.
As cases rise, Maine colleges prepare to send students home to finish semester
Colleges around Maine will send students home to finish the semester remotely after Thanksgiving, but only after testing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during travel.
‘It’s gotten nasty’: Clash over racial equity work roils Cumberland
Six months after SAD 51 issued two racial equity letters, the district continues to see backlash from a resident who has alleged an illegal meeting and hiring.
Portland High students petition district to stop plans for more in-person learning
The petition, signed by more than 230 people as of Wednesday evening, cites rising coronavirus cases and the likelihood of increased contacts over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Gray-New Gloucester High School moves to remote learning after 2 positive COVID cases
The cases contributed to the main reason for closing the school, a ‘critical shortage of substitute teachers and substitute support staff,’ the superintendent said.