All Other $100,000 $100,000

________ ________

GENERAL FUND TOTAL $100,000 $100,000

Vacant Teaching Position Fund

Initiative: Provides funds to subsidize school administrative units that cannot fill needed teaching positions by September 1st.

GENERAL FUND 2005-06 2006-07

All Other $50,000 $50,000

________ ________

GENERAL FUND TOTAL $50,000 $50,000

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF

DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2005-06 2006-07

GENERAL FUND $150,000 $150,000

________ ________

DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS $150,000 $150,000

SUMMARY

This bill:

1. Sets the minimum salaries of teachers at 1.5 times the federal poverty threshold;

2. Sets the minimum salaries of teachers who possess master's degrees or higher at 1.5 times the federal poverty threshold plus $2,000;

3. Establishes the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program to provide funds to forgive loans incurred at Maine postsecondary schools by teachers who teach in the State; and

4. Establishes the Vacant Teaching Position Fund to provide funds to subsidize school administrative units that cannot fill needed teaching positions by September 1st.