Small schools supporters rally, criticize state funding formula

Supporters of small schools in Maine have been pressing their case that the state's new funding formula is unfair in its distribution of funds to rural schools, as preliminary state subsidy figures were released last week. Under the proposed state funding for schools, presented by the Maine Department of Education on February 2, most districts in this area would receive some increase in funding for fiscal year 2006-07 over the amount they received this year, but a number of small school districts are counting on transition funding that will be decreasing and eliminated in three years.

Following a five-day, 128-mile march from Columbia Falls to Augusta by students and parents from SAD 37, where two schools may possibly be closed, a rally for small schools was held on the State House grounds on February 7, attended by an estimated 150 people. The rally was timed to coincide with a meeting of the legislature's Education Committee with University of Southern Maine consultant David Silvernail, the architect of the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) formula, who gave a presentation on high-performing schools. According to State Senator Kevin Raye of Perry, Silvernail noted that high performing and low performing schools can be either large or small. Some larger schools that are struggling are trying to replicate the individualized attention that small schools are able to offer.

Although the meeting was not a public hearing, two small schools supporters C Steve Pagels, chairman of the SAD 37 board of directors, and Roger Shaw, superintendent of SAD 42 in Mars Hill C were allowed to address the committee. Shaw compared the local schools to the soul of the communities, Raye notes. Closing a school tears out the soul, with young families abandoning the town and removing the community's vitality.

"They want to keep their small schools. They believe they add to their communities," says School Union 102 and East Machias Superintendent Scott Porter. Noting that Maine is 60% rural, Porter says, "The governor's got to hear that Maine's not an urban state, and he's got a formula that's an urban formula."

"Of the 38 school districts in the state that got transition funding, 14 are in my Senate district," says Senator Raye, who took part in the SAD 37 walk on February 3. "That's astounding." He says there is "grave concern" for next year. "What would happen to those towns without the transition funding?

According to state statute, transition funding will end with the 2009-10 fiscal year, and each year until that point the amount will be decreasing. According to the preliminary figures, area districts that would receive a significant amount of transition funding include: $320,726 for SAD #19 in Lubec; $312,952 for SAD 37 in Milbridge; $304,829 for Jonesport; $254,793 for Eastport; $197,902 for East Machias; $110,776 for SAD 77; and $108,296 for Robbinston. Porter says that without the transition funding a different school structure would have to be in place for the East Machias school, perhaps with some double grades.

Funding formula viewed as unfair to rural districts
Porter, who is the vice chairman of the Small Schools Coalition, says that the coalition believes that the state's Essential Programs and Services funding model needs to be adjusted. "It services large urban areas very well, particularly where the valuation is not rising," he notes. However, coastal areas in Washington County are hard hit both by escalating property valuations and declining enrollments. "It has a multiplied impact on towns in Washington County," says Porter, noting that Milbridge's valuation has increased by 25% to 30%.

In addition, the coastal Washington County labor market area, from Eastport to Milbridge, is only paying 84% of the state average for teacher salaries, a figure which the state uses in determining the amount of funding districts will receive. While the state then deducts 16%, giving back to the schools what they pay the teachers, Porter, though, notes that school administrators argue that they can't pay higher salaries because of the economic conditions and the subsidy cuts. According to Michael Buckley, superintendent of SAD 19 in Lubec, Silvernail is proposing that the 35 labor market areas in the state be reduced to 31, which would cut the Machias to Eastport salary index to 82%, so those districts would lose funding. "The Small Schools Coalition is very upset about this," says Buckley. "We're getting killed.

The preliminary funding figures also include an estimated minimum teacher salary adjustment to bring schools up to the governor's proposal of a $30,000 minimum salary for teachers. In Lubec, that adjustment amounts to $52,366 and infuses more funding, but Buckley expects that the minimum salary adjustment "won't fly." That will end up hurting schools such as Lubec that have teachers receiving less than $30,000, and SAD 19 would end up with the same level of state funding as this year.

Statewide, schools are receiving more state funding, as the state moves over a five-year period from providing 46% to 55% of the funding for schools. A total of 189 of the 230 school districts will get more money in the coming fiscal year, under the proposed state funding subsidies. In a press conference held February 2 at the State House, Education Commissioner Sue Gendron outlined how the next $79 million in education funding from the state will be distributed to schools around Maine. This next installment of funding is part of the requirement under LD 1. For the next fiscal year the state will pay 50% of the cost of education on the way to paying 55% in fiscal year 2009-10.

Martha Freeman from the State Planning Office was also at the press conference. "There is clear evidence here that the Essential Programs and Services school funding formula as adopted in LD 1 is working to lower property taxes while supporting quality education. This is a win-win for homeowners and children," said Freeman.

However, the Small Schools Coalition believes that the distribution of that funding is inequitable between urban and rural districts. Under the preliminary subsidy figures, an urban district such as Bangor would be receiving $2 million more in funding, for a 15% increase over the $13.5 million received this year. And Buckley notes that urban centers have the tax base to provide the local funding for schools. "We think the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer."

Preliminary figures for area schools
Some schools in Washington County did gain under the proposed funding figures, and Porter notes that those are communities either where the valuation has not increased or where the student/teacher ratios fit the EPS model better. Also, a number of them only are increasing with the transition funding.

Union 104 Superintendent Arthur Wittine comments, "The preliminary figures indicate that for our five school districts they would all receive an increase." But he cautions that he has no idea how the legislature may amend the amount that is proposed by the Baldacci administration.

In comparison between fiscal years 2005-06 and 2006-07, Union 104 schools would receive the following additional amounts: Eastport $4,819, Perry $66,417, Pembroke $107,725, Charlotte $40,265, Dennysville $44,872. Other area schools that would receive increases include: Baileyville $57,950, Calais $25,431, East Machias $11,565, Machias $21,327, Meddybemps $16,471, SAD 19 in Lubec $52,366, Indian Township $41,698 and Pleasant Point $227,550. Schools that would lose funding include SAD 37 in Milbridge $166,198, SAD 77 in East Machias $63,811, and Robbinston $6,456.

Porter believes more funding will be provided for small schools, noting that the Small Schools Coalition will be meeting with legislators and perhaps the governor to discuss the funding formula. He says the coalition is aiming for a long-term solution to provide more equitable funding, instead of the temporary fixes of transition funding. "I encourage people to e-mail their legislators and especially the Education Committee. They need to hear from the people of Washington County."