50 school districts have already taken over preschool and pre-K special education from the state and many more will follow suit in the fall. Although challenges persist, district leaders say the shift has benefited students.
Riley Board
Staff Writer
Riley covers education for the Press Herald. Before moving to Portland, she spent two years in Kenai, Alaska, reporting on local government, schools and natural resources for the public radio station KDLL as part of the Report for America program. Riley originally hails from Sarasota, Florida, and is a graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, where she served as the editor-in-chief of the college’s student newspaper, The Campus. She has interned at the Burlington Free Press, and at the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Magazine in Washington, D.C. Outside of work, Riley is passionate about roller skating, cooking and her cat, Edgar.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
It’s a tough budget year for Maine’s school districts. Why?
Portland, South Portland and Lewiston schools have proposed budgets that would cut a combined 128 positions and increase taxes. Officials say rising salary and health care costs, and declining enrollment, are stressing their books.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Maine school district leaders agree funding formula update is overdue
A bill to reform the long-criticized EPS formula got support from districts around the state at a hearing Monday. Some said it could go even further in reducing inequities.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Maine judges won’t recuse themselves from DOJ trans athlete lawsuit
The Trump administration asked 2 federal judges to remove themselves from the case, a lawsuit over transgender athlete participation in sports.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Lawmakers draft overhaul of Maine’s scrutinized school funding formula
Proposed legislation includes 9 changes to the state’s Essential Programs and Services formula, which school leaders, lawmakers and researchers say is inequitable and outdated.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Bill would extend Maine’s free school lunch to all children in public pre-K
While the state provides universal free school meals, public preschools not located at public school sites are left out, something legislation from Senate President Mattie Daughtry hopes to change.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine school districts delicately balance traditional snow days and remote learning
A growing number now switch to remote learning after using a few snow days, although some are hesitant to embrace the practice.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Report outlines recommendations to address Maine’s school construction crisis
Proposals include a sliding-scale model for major construction projects, looking at consolidation options and diversifying revenue streams.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Maine lawmakers debate making free community college permanent, this time at a lower cost
Changes proposed by Gov. Janet Mills would reduce the cost of the program that has been in place since 2022 by changing some eligibility requirements.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Bowdoin’s updated protest policies meet pushback from students, faculty
The Brunswick college said it is now refining those policies, which went into effect in January, following feedback.