Proponents say it would level the playing field between rich and poor districts, but critics say communities would lose local control.
Noel K. Gallagher
Noel Gallagher covers K-12 and higher education issues statewide. Her stories are a mix of breaking news and trend stories. In recent years, they’ve ranged from why college costs so much, the launch of the state’s first charter schools, how a school welcomed a transgender student and why Maine schools have a hard time finding teachers. She’s enough of a news nerd to enjoy sitting through legislative education committee meetings and hours-long school board meetings so you don’t have to.
The Maine Press Association has honored Noel’s work, but she says she writes for the readers, in the firm belief that an informed citizenry is key to a healthy democracy.
Noel is a California native who has worked at wire services, online websites and newspapers across the country. She was in Washington D.C. during the early Clinton years, covering AIDS activism in 1990s San Francisco, documenting the business of wine in Sonoma County and riding out the boom and bust cycle of the early Internet era in early 2000s Silicon Valley. She arrived in Maine at the beginning of the recession and wrote quite a bit about the downturn here.
In her free time, Noel writes the occasional cookbook review, spends an inordinate amount of time at the Portland Public Library and hangs out with her three fabulous kids and wonderful husband. She is not a former member of the band Oasis.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Bill would set Maine teacher salaries at minimum of $40,000
The current minimum of $30,000 was set in 2005, and the state funding that helped districts meet the requirement was eliminated in 2012-13.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
At schools in Maine and beyond, ‘Hamilton’ becomes a class act
Nationally and locally, teachers are tapping into the innovative Broadway hit to enhance lesson plans in history and creativity.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Brunswick superintendent calls story about school sexual assaults ‘disturbing’
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Paul Perzanoski says the AP article, which includes an interview with a former Brunswick Junior High student, ‘seems to give credibility to unfounded allegations.’
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Hyde School plans to expand in Bath, grow enrollment
The move follows the $14.25 million sale of a Hyde-operated school in Connecticut.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Bill to force public colleges to allow guns on campus draws opposition at hearing
Opponents say the plan is dangerous and would discourage free debate in classrooms, but supporters say campuses that ban guns are ripe targets for mass shooters.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Officials back $80 million campaign to revamp USM’s Portland campus
Of that, $50 million would be used to build a 1,000-seat performing arts center.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Bill to allow more than 10 charter schools in Maine falls short in committee
But lawmakers on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee offer a compromise that could be considered in the House or Senate.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland prepares for proficiency-based graduation requirements
Beginning next year, high school freshman will be required to demonstrate in-depth understanding in English, math, science and technology, and social studies.
Posted inLocal & State, News
UMaine System to consider environmental, social factors in making investments
Board of trustees member Karl Turner says the policy change will not necessarily eliminate fossil fuel holdings in the system’s $287 million portfolio, but it ‘will weed out the worst offenders.’