Maine superintendents advocate for updated school funding formula

Maine school superintendents are awaiting a report on the state's school funding formula, which has not been updated since 2004. The current formula does not adequately address the growing needs for special education, multilingual education, and support for homeless students. The Maine Educational Policy Research Institute is reviewing the formula's fairness and has found that many districts struggle to meet educational costs due to high property valuations that do not reflect community income levels. Superintendents are advocating for changes to better account for these needs. Legislators are considering bills to adjust the formula, including increased weight for homeless and economically disadvantaged students. Some propose new revenue sources, like a hotel tax, to support school funding without burdening local homeowners.