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.
South Portland Schools
Thousands of Maine kids missed school as ICE carried out heightened operations
Absence rates for multilingual students were near or over 50% in some school districts where immigration enforcement spiked, and educators describe empty classrooms and fearful students.
Maine schools react to increased ICE enforcement
Thousands of students have been absent as a federal immigration enforcement operation descended on Maine, and the state’s largest district is considering a remote learning plans for different grade levels.
ICE confirms operations in Maine as arrests ramp up
Many city and school officials and residents continued to decry the immigration enforcement actions in Portland, Lewiston and elsewhere in the state.
Repeal of federal English learners guidance could signal bigger changes for Maine students
Federal and state laws still require schools to serve students who are learning English, but Maine educators worry the change could be a sign of future impacts on funding or obligations to multilingual students.