Following a major amendment, the education committee pushes forward significant changes to the Essential Programs and Services formula that education leaders said are long overdue.
education funding
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, 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state’s Essential Programs and Services formula, which school leaders, lawmakers and researchers say is inequitable and outdated.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
Petition withdrawn: Smithfield stays in Skowhegan-based school district
The school district’s superintendent presented figures showing that a switch to Oakland-based RSU 18 would likely cost the town more.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Lawmakers initiate reform of Maine’s fraught school funding formula
The Education Committee is introducing a bill based on researcher recommendations that include integrating local poverty rates and reforming the special education model.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Only 2 Maine districts make the cut for school construction funds
Schools in Bath and Frenchville can get state funding to rebuild after both were damaged by fire, while a long list of other schools await funding to replace aging and deteriorating buildings.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Trump administration denies appeal for Farmington Upward Bound funds
The U.S. Department of Education cut more than $600,000 in promised funding for the program, which supports western Maine students who face barriers in going to college.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Maine’s school funding formula has long been called inequitable. Changing it is complicated.
In a July report, researchers outline issues with the formula’s reliance on property tax value, and possible solutions. Now lawmakers will be able to decide if they want to implement changes.
Posted inNews, Politics
Trump administration will release more than $20M in withheld education funds to Maine
The administration announced last week that it was releasing a portion of the education funding. Sen. Susan Collins, who pushed for their release, is also calling for the release of medical research grants.