Report: Schools spend too much

Kennebec Journal (update), February 14, 2008

(excerpt) A report released today shows 82 percent of school systems across the state have exceeded their state spending cap, according to the State Planning Office.

Each year, the state releases a report on the status of Legislative Document 1, a law passed three years ago that requires the state to fund 55 percent of the cost of education. The added state money to local schools is supposed to reduce property taxes.

But collectively, schools have spent $132 million more than their targeted levels, according to the planning office.

Martha Freeman, director of state planning, said this is further evidence of the need to consolidate school administrative costs.

“Increasing the state’s share of funding for local education provided the means to relieve property tax burdens,” she said in a statement. “This year’s LD 1 report shows again that the relief available is not making it to the taxpayer.”