Coast, country to lose education aid
Bangor Daily News, March 7. 2008
(excerpt) Schools in general will fare a little better under Gov. John Baldacci’s latest proposal, announced Wednesday, to reduce state expenditures. And while some districts will receive increased state aid this coming year, others will get less. In some cases, the aid will be substantially less than the current year and could force school committees to consider cutting positions and programs.
"If you’re a large system in an urban area, you’re OK," said Robert Webster, superintendent of schools at Union 76, which includes Deer Isle and Stonington. "But rural and coastal areas with high valuation that [typically receive little state subsidy] will take a hit."
Valuation and student population are the driving forces in the state’s formula that determines the general purpose aid for education, or GPA, according to Education Department spokesman David Connerty-Marin.
"Most of it has to do with enrollment declines and valuation increases," Connerty-Marin said. "We always see a shift."
That formula creates some striking disparities among the districts that will see the largest increases next year and those who get hit with the largest cuts. For example, based on the governor’s proposal, Veazie would see an increase of $213,497, or 20 percent; Bangor, an increase of $962,596, or 6 percent; SAD 34 in Belfast, an increase of $889,552, or 11 percent; Augusta, an increase of $417,603, or 3 percent; SAD 68 in Dover-Foxcroft, an increase of $431,321, or 7 percent; and Portland, an increase of $1,967,486, or 16 percent.
Districts that will see large decreases include Jonesport, down $267,018, or 92 percent of its subsidy; Penobscot, down $86,603, or 65 percent; Greenville, down $227,738, or 63 percent; Sedgwick, down $199,944, or 63 percent; Deer Isle-Stonington CSD, down $376,793, or 38 percent; SAD 19 in Lubec, down $293,322, or 40 percent; and Eastport, down $357,914, or 33 percent.
(excerpt) Schools in general will fare a little better under Gov. John Baldacci’s latest proposal, announced Wednesday, to reduce state expenditures. And while some districts will receive increased state aid this coming year, others will get less. In some cases, the aid will be substantially less than the current year and could force school committees to consider cutting positions and programs.
"If you’re a large system in an urban area, you’re OK," said Robert Webster, superintendent of schools at Union 76, which includes Deer Isle and Stonington. "But rural and coastal areas with high valuation that [typically receive little state subsidy] will take a hit."
Valuation and student population are the driving forces in the state’s formula that determines the general purpose aid for education, or GPA, according to Education Department spokesman David Connerty-Marin.
"Most of it has to do with enrollment declines and valuation increases," Connerty-Marin said. "We always see a shift."
That formula creates some striking disparities among the districts that will see the largest increases next year and those who get hit with the largest cuts. For example, based on the governor’s proposal, Veazie would see an increase of $213,497, or 20 percent; Bangor, an increase of $962,596, or 6 percent; SAD 34 in Belfast, an increase of $889,552, or 11 percent; Augusta, an increase of $417,603, or 3 percent; SAD 68 in Dover-Foxcroft, an increase of $431,321, or 7 percent; and Portland, an increase of $1,967,486, or 16 percent.
Districts that will see large decreases include Jonesport, down $267,018, or 92 percent of its subsidy; Penobscot, down $86,603, or 65 percent; Greenville, down $227,738, or 63 percent; Sedgwick, down $199,944, or 63 percent; Deer Isle-Stonington CSD, down $376,793, or 38 percent; SAD 19 in Lubec, down $293,322, or 40 percent; and Eastport, down $357,914, or 33 percent.
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