Public schools
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PublishedJanuary 31, 2022
Maine teachers urge lawmakers to address COVID sick leave loophole
A bill passed last year required local school districts to provide school staff with 15 additional days off for pandemic-related absences, but some districts have not done so since October, citing what opponents call a loophole in the original bill.
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PublishedNovember 30, 2021
Recall effort targets two board members in Kennebunk-area school district
Residents behind the effort cite a variety of reasons, including teacher attrition, increases in human resources spending and the lack of a school board curriculum committee.
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PublishedNovember 12, 2021
Democrats aim to dramatically reshape child care, preschool
The proposal would provide all 3- and 4-year-old children with universal access to preschool, the largest expansion of free education since high school was added about 100 years ago.
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PublishedOctober 5, 2021
Attorney general asks FBI to address ‘disturbing’ spike in threats against teachers, school boards
The National School Boards Association, a group representing school board members across the United States, has pleaded for federal assistance to help investigate and stop recent threats against educators.
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PublishedAugust 30, 2021
Biden administration opens civil rights investigations over bans on school mask mandates
Letters were sent to officials in Iowa, South Carolina, Utah, Oklahoma and Tennessee, all of which bar local districts from mandating masks.
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PublishedAugust 11, 2021
California becomes 1st state to require vaccine or testing for teachers and school staff
Gov. Gavin Newsom cites the surging delta variant, which has challenged plans for the opening of school this fall across the country.
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PublishedAugust 11, 2021
Fears of delta variant ignite anger as schools reopen across the country
Throughout the delta-plagued country, officials in big cities and rural counties must balance safety, science and political fealty.
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PublishedAugust 6, 2021
Schools reopen with masks optional in many U.S. classrooms
Most states are leaving it up to local schools to decide whether to require masks.
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PublishedMay 12, 2021
In response to pandemic, proposal looks to protect Maine teachers from bullying
A spokesman for teachers said the pandemic has revealed that school workers face unique job challenges and should be able to work in an environment free from bullying.
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PublishedMarch 22, 2021
Bill would give Maine teachers lifetime certification after 20 years on the job
The state teachers' union supports the measure, but a group representing school boards opposes the legislation, saying it could erode teacher quality in Maine.