SUMMARY

Part A of this bill repeals the School Finance Act of 1995 and establishes in its stead the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act.

Specifically, Part A of this bill proposes to accomplish the following.

1. It establishes targets for a transition to a new school funding approach, based on essential programs and services, in order to provide all children with an equitable opportunity to access the resources necessary to achieve the high standards of Maine's system of learning results.

2. It defines the elements of essential programs and services in order to:

A. Determine the resources necessary for all students in each school administrative unit;

B. Establish the methodology to calculate per-pupil guarantees unique to each school administrative unit based on each unit's personnel profile for years of experience and education level;

C. Address providing additional resources for specialized student populations;

D. Define the major cost components;

E. Provide for targeted funds;

F. Provide for an annual updating of the components; and

G. Establish that a review of the essential programs and services components occurs every 3 years.

3. It provides for a transition adjustment to minimize the fiscal impact directly related to the phase-in of this Act.

4. It incorporates the statutory language necessary to maintain the current distribution method for operating allocation that was established in the School Finance Act of 1995.