The program works to send each student in the city to an arts performance each year; the funding will run out at the end of the school year.
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.
Portland voters overwhelmingly approve elementary school renovation
Rebuilding Hall Elementary School will cost $29.7 million, nearly all of which is being paid for by the state.
Maine Charter School Commission member resigns because of conflict
Ande Smith, a member of both the Maine State Board of Education and the charter school panel, stepped down because only three commissioners can also serve on the education board.
Portland residents will vote Tuesday on bond for new Hall School
The state is paying for most of the $29.7 million project. The $1.4 million in local funds would cover upgrades such as a larger gym and cafeteria.
Maine parents embracing the lessons of homeschooling
Driven in large part by conservative Christians and by others resistant to ‘industrialized’ education, what had been an unconventional choice for many parents in Maine and the nation has progressively moved into the mainstream.
New England brewers put their heads together at Portland summit
Hundreds gather in Portland for a day of workshops and fellowship – and to celebrate craft beer.
Portland school board sends $103.6 million budget to City Council
If approved by voters, the school portion of Portland’s tax rate would add $63 to the bill for a $300,000 house.
Leader of Casco Bay High School named Maine’s Principal of the Year
In accepting the honor, Derek Pierce credits the alternative school’s faculty and students. The Elementary School Principal of the Year is Roger ‘Ron’ Robert Jr. of North Berwick Elementary.
Proposal would give more school funds to struggling mill towns, at other districts’ expense
L.D. 281, currently being debated in the Maine State House, would reallocate state education funding to give more money to districts that have suffered from big losses in taxable valuation.
Portland school board airs $103.6 million budget at public hearing
One speaker criticizes the school district for increasing spending while student enrollment is declining.