Legislators called the Child Development Services agency ‘broken.’ Education Commissioner Pender Makin said little to ease their concerns.
Maine Department of Education
Maine launches $1 million ad campaign to attract teachers amid shortage
The initiative is funded with pandemic relief money and quantifies for the first time the number of educator vacancies in Maine: over 850.
Maine students are missing more school days than before the pandemic
Chronic absenteeism rates are more than 10 percentage points higher than the 2018-19 school year. Experts say resources to get students to class aren’t back on track.
State workers vote no confidence in director of child development services
The union representing agency workers called on the Maine Department of Education to replace Director Roberta Lucas, citing a ‘toxic work environment’ and her ‘apparent support’ for dissolving the agency.
Refugees to be provided transitional housing at Good Will-Hinckley in Fairfield
About 35 refugees from Somalia, Syria and other countries are to be relocated from southern Maine to the Good Will-Hinckley campus.
State’s new education podcast features 2 Portland teachers
The Maine Department of Education plans to highlight state educators and education in the monthly show.
Some criticize uneven distribution of pandemic debit cards for groceries
More than 20,000 Maine students were left out of the pandemic relief program that provided up to $120 per child to spend on food.
Performing arts programs at Waterville Senior High School receive national recognition
During a surprise ceremony Thursday, students and staff members learned WSHS has received the Performing Arts School of Excellence award given by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
As students head back to school, some districts struggle to find the staffing to serve them
The problem is particularly severe in Skowhegan-based Maine School Administrative District 54, which still needs more than 20 educational technicians as the 2023-24 school year launches.
Maine legislators consider bills to change state K-12 funding formula
The Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs heard testimony on 8 bills proposing changes to or examination of the state’s K-12 funding formula.