The Governor’s supplemental budget proposal has a number of great proposals for public education, but we need to make sure legislators support these improvements. Please take a minute to email members of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Education Committees and ask them to support the following:
- Raising the Minimum Teacher Salary to $50,000: The Governor’s budget increases the minimum teacher salary from the current $40,000 to $45,000 beginning July 1, 2027, $47,500 beginning July 1, 2028, and then $50,000 beginning July 1, 2029. We know some teachers already earn well above this amount but given the shortages we are seeing we must increase the salaries offered to entry-level teachers. We also believe through collective bargaining we can increase salaries for teachers up and down the scale by increasing the minimum salary. The MEA has advocated for years for this improvement, and we are elated to see it in the Governor’s budget proposal.
- Maintaining 55 Percent Education Funding: The Governor’s budget proposes another $46 million continue meeting the State’s obligation to pay 55% of local education costs and help hold down property tax increases. After more than a decade of advocacy, the state finally met the 55% state funding threshold in 2022, and this budget would reflect 5 years of the state meeting this commitment!
- School Bus Safety: After two tragic bus accidents in Maine, the Governor prioritized school bus safety and includes $5.9 million to retrofit all school buses in the state with anti-pinch door sensors and/or crossing arms. This funding will help retrofit 2,300 Maine school buses.
- Implementing a Cell Phone Ban in Schools: The Governor also proposes spending $700,000 to help provide funding for public schools to adopt and implement policies banning cell phones during the school day.
- Making Free Community College Permanent: The future of the Free Community College has been in limbo since the budget passed last year did not make the program permanent. The Governor proposes to make the program permanent and sets aside another $2.5 million to fund the program. The Governor’s Office contends that since the Free Community College Program started in 2022, 23,000 students have participated and 2,000 of those students have continued their study in the University of Maine System or other four-year institutions.
If you hear back from legislators, please let us know. Our efforts are helped when we know what legislators are saying to you in response.
