The Office of the Maine Attorney General hosted Monday’s conference with support from the Maine Humanities Council.

The school system has more than $5 million in its fund balance, well over the amount state law says school departments should retain in such accounts.

RSU 18 superintendent Gary Smith is ‘optimistic’ about passage of this year’s $34.6 million.

Professors tell the trustees they feel left out of the process; the board approves a new $523.4 million budget that freezes tuition for a sixth year.

After years of sizable deficits that forced painful faculty and program cuts, projections hint of a budget in the black in 2021.

The teachers credit the streak to shared decision-making and freedom to lead, which they cite as crucial to success.

James Conneely brought more than 30 years of experience to UMA when he took over for interim president Rebecca Wyke in January.