During this season of school budgets and the associated discussions, conversations and debates, I feel as though a bit of background and context will be invaluable to taxpayers, town managers, boards of education and selectpeople. All of the stakeholders will be trying to navigate the treacherous waters of financial responsibility and responsiveness to the needs […]
education
Posted inLetters
Education as a partnership
Our children deserve more than a closed door. “There is no more important work to be done than to craft a better plan to educate Maine’s children” are the very truest of words (Sun Journal editorial, April 27). Gov. Paul LePage’s illegal efforts to hold a commission meeting behind closed doors as it relates to […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bill Beardsely wants to equalize educational opportunities
AUBURN — Bill Beardsley, Gov. Paul LePage’s point man on education reform, said Wednesday that his goal over the next couple of years is to finally make progress on issues that have baffled and defeated policymakers for decades. Beardsley said during a lunchtime lecture hosted by the Maine Heritage Policy Center that his priority is […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage says he’s out of the education commission
said Tuesday that he will withdraw the executive branch completely from participating in a commission aimed at reforming Maine’s public schools funding formula because he is “fed up” with media coverage of his statements and actions as governor. “As of yesterday afternoon I have withdrawn the executive branch from that group,” LePage said Tuesday morning during his weekly […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
What the education panel discussed at Monday’s closed meeting
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage and his education chief want every student in Maine to reach grade-level proficiency in reading by third grade, according to an attendee of a new task force that met behind closed doors Monday morning at the Blaine House. Democratic Sen. Justin Alfond of Portland, a former Education Committee member and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage makes Beardsley the Education ‘public service executive’
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has approved a financial order that will keep the man who is Maine’s de facto education commissioner — but hasn’t been confirmed by legislators — in office through 2018. The order allows acting Education Commissioner William Beardsley to be “public service executive” in his department through April 2018, calling the position one […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Gov. Paul LePage talks energy, education, politics at Mexico town hall
MEXICO — Gov. Paul LePage fielded questions on energy and education costs, and how to properly govern the state during a town hall meeting Tuesday night at the Mountain Valley Middle School auditorium. LePage spoke on four “basic issues” he is making a priority in Augusta: reducing the income tax, reforming welfare by strengthening the […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Testing in schools has a positive side
During the past year, many Maine students and parents have confronted public schools in an effort to opt out of state and federal mandated standardized testing. These students and parents are frustrated by their very real perception of over-testing that detracts from instructional time. They also argue that these mandated tests give a false picture […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage offers funds to freeze UMaine tuition
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage says he’ll include about $8 million in additional funding in the budget for the University of Maine System if the board agrees to a tuition freeze. The Portland Press Herald reports that the money would offset the need for a tuition increase and provide funds for specific programs, including early […]
Posted inLetters
A reduction in learning time
At Longley Elementary School, pre-k students didn’t want to take naps (Sun Journal, Feb. 16). They weren’t tired, they wouldn’t settle down. The state, however, required that when pre-k children spend six hours in school, one hour of rest is required. Longley School, at the suggestion of teachers, requested a waiver. The state granted the […]