Bills take aim at education funding

OXFORD HILLS — At least two bills that could ease a possible tax increase for towns in SAD 17 have been introduced in the Maine Legislature.

In December, SAD 17 officials projected the district would need to raise an additional 11 percent in assessments next year to meet its school funding obligation under the state's Essential Programs and Services model or risk losing state funding.

SAD 17 currently raises $1.8 million less than required.

One bill, proposed by Senator Jim Hamper (R-Oxford) eliminates the "sunset clause" in current statute, excusing districts from raising the full share for education EPS requires.

Another bill, introduced by Representative Joyce Maker (R-Calais) would give school districts three years to reach the required share – referred to as the "ramp-up" option.

Formal language for the two bills is not yet available.

EPS obligates school districts to provide 45 percent of funding to local education –  the full amount must be met before state aid is received.

"Waiver" language in the EPS statute allowed local school districts to fund the local share at the level the state funds its share –  84 percent –  for the last three years.

A "sunset clause" in the law ends the waiver this June –  by eliminating the clause, Sen. Hamper's bill would essentially make that waiver permanent.

On Monday, Hamper said it was hard to gauge the level of support his bill had this early in the legislative process.

"It hasn't shown up on the calendar, it isn't creating much buzz yet," Hamper said.

Maker's bill requires districts to meet their EPS funding obligation over three years, increasing by a third per year.

On Monday, Maker said schools should be funded at the required amount but local taxpayers may not be able to handle a sudden tax increase.

"I know it's a hard time. I've been on the city council, I absolutely understand, but this money should go to children in my opinion," said Maker.

She predicted opposition to her bill from municipalities and schools, but said her concern was for children's education.

"Just because there's going to be push-back does not mean we shouldn't have the conversation," Maker said.

According to Representative Tom Winsor (R-Norway), a member of the legislature's finance committee, a rumor that Governor Paul LePage's 2014-2015 biannual budget contained an EPS waiver extension proved false, so passing legislation might be the way for SAD 17 and other districts to fend off a tax increase.

Even if legislation makes it through, taxpayers may not be in the clear –  parts of LePage's budget proposal still increase local education costs, said SAD 17 Superintendent Rick Colpitts.

LePage's proposes school districts contribute 50 percent of the funding for teacher retirement –  a $14 million share.

According to Colpitts, funding retirement will add around $700,000 to next year's budget.

The budget also funds the state's school districts at the current curtailed level, but strips away revenue sharing from towns. Colpitts estimates that move will cost the district an additional $216,000 next year.

"It's not good," he said.