Educators say the state has already shorted schools millions of dollars over the years, and they just can't afford to take another hit with this new curtailment order.
The Maine Education Association and Portland Mayor Michael Brennan say the state is already behind on $524-million dollars that's owed to public education. Money they say the state is mandated to pay because of a 2004 vote requiring the state to fund 55-percent of the total cost of public education. Add that to the new curtailment, and in Portland, taxpayers and teachers could take a blow.
Mayor Brennan suggests the state pull from the rainy day fund to soften the blow. The commissioner of the State Department of Education says lawmakers have looked at that option - and unfortunately, it's just not going to cut it.
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