The unanimously approved measure would have the Department of Education create a Web-based digital content library.
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.
Maine Legislature’s education committee OKs medical pot given at school
Parents or caregivers must administer the marijuana at school then retain it so it wouldn’t be stored on campus.
University faculty group issues report critical of USM
The report by the American Association of University Professors says the University of Southern Maine can’t justify cutting faculty jobs.
With tiny turnout, Portland voters pass school budget
Fewer than 1,000 of the city’s roughly 54,000 voters to go the polls and, by a 2-to-1 ratio, approve a $102.8 million plan for the next school year.
Maine lawmakers urged to undo educational reforms
At a legislative hearing, speakers advocate eliminating Common Core and easing more rigorous graduation standards.
Two bills aim to bring online schooling to all Maine students
Among the proposals are the creation of a state-sponsored virtual school or an educational website curated by the state Department of Education.
After false starts, board sets new hours for Portland schools
The staggered start and end times will begin for all Portland schools in the fall.
UMaine Fort Kent president announces retirement
The announcement by Wilson Hess is the latest in a series of changes in top leadership in the seven system campuses that have left only two permanent presidents.
Lawmakers eye options for virtual education
Proposed bills would establish fee-based or free access to online learning resources for Maine’s teachers and students.
Group asks Portland council to consider extending parking meter hours until 9 p.m.
The bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee wants to use some of the extra revenue for projects, but businesses say it would be bad for customers and workers.