The Legislature passed consequential reforms, including some long-fought changes to school construction funding and making free community college permanent.
education funding
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & Education
Legislature passes first reform of Maine’s school funding formula in 2 decades
Gov. Mills plans to sign the bill — which would change the EPS formula by accounting for local poverty rates in state funding calculations and modernizing outdated regional adjustments — into law.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & Education
Maine lawmakers make last-minute changes to school funding formula bill
Following concerns over costs, lawmakers on the education committee supported an amended version of the bill. It now goes to the full Legislature.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & Education
A commission spent more than a year studying Maine’s school construction crisis. What now?
An amended bill passed by the education committee incorporates some of the commission’s recommendations, but a $100 million price tag might scare lawmakers.
Posted inFact Brief, Maine, News, Schools & Education
Does Maine spend roughly $20,000 per K-12 student? | Fact brief
Maine had the lowest per-student spending in New England as of the 2021-22 school year.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & Education
Maine’s school funding formula could be changed for first time in 20 years
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.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & 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.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & 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 inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & 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 inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & 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.