Supporters say raising the minimum from the current $40,000 to $50,000 by the 2027-28 school year is needed to fight a teacher shortage. Foes worry that a mandate could lead to tax increases and the rejection of school budgets.
Lana Cohen
Staff Writer
Lana covers education for the Portland Press Herald. She joins the Press Herald from VTDigger, where she covered Chittenden County, Vermont’s population center. Previously she was a Report for America fellow in Mendocino County, covering environmental news for a digital outlet and a public radio station. She also reported on the environment for digital news outlet, WhoWhatWhy. In her spare time Lana enjoys hiking with her Goldendoodle, Rigby, running, surfing and baking.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Bonny Eagle school district temporarily removes 8 books from library pending review
After hearing complaints from parents that the books contain inappropriate content, the board took the unusual move of removing them before undertaking a review process.
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Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Mother sues school district for keeping child’s gender expression secret
Amber Lavigne is suing Central Lincoln County School leaders and employees, saying the district did not inform her about her child’s gender expression.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Portland superintendents present revised budget to school board
The updated budget proposes spending $143.8 million in the coming school year, up $2.5 million in spending from the original $141.3 million proposal.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Legislature works to fix, or eliminate, popular property tax relief program
The program, which lets some homeowners age 65 and older freeze their bills, has the unintended effect of helping the wealthiest Mainers. Eight separate bills seek a remedy.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Maine schools to receive $42 million in additional state funding after miscalculation discovered
Many, but not all, districts around the state will receive more funding. The Portland school district, the state’s largest, will receive $3.6 million more than it initially expected.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Schools and Education
Legislators consider bills to tackle educator shortage
The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee heard testimony Tuesday about multiple bills aimed at bolstering the state’s educator workforce.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State, News, Schools and Education
Maine school districts confront COVID-19 funding cliff
Across-the-board expenses are rising just as federal pandemic relief is running out. Educators see a ‘perfect storm of financial pressures’ that will challenge schools for the next two years.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Portland schools face big cuts in summer school programming
But the district’s proposed investment in summer school would remain much greater than the pre-pandemic level.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Portland superintendents propose $141.3 million school budget for next year
The spending plan would be an $8.2 million increase over this year’s $133.1 million school budget.