(R-Caribou)
Several important issues currently being considered by the Legislature have an affect on Caribou citizens.
The Commissioner of Education has proposed to cut one third of the funding for “disadvantaged students”. These are students who qualify for free and reduced hot lunch. Caribou’s loss would be at least $154,000. It is unfair to ask rural and poor schools to help fund the budget shortfall. Another unreasonable proposal by the Department of Education is to change the requirements for pre-school teachers to be certified. Aroostook County has Maine’s largest number and longest running pre-school programs. This area was the first to offer pre-K with outstanding success. Hopefully this unfortunate proposal will be properly handled.
The Education Committee heard testimony this week to provide free school breakfast to all students qualifying for reduced and free hot lunch. State revenue shortfall would make it impossible to fund unless $l.6 million is transferred from the Healthy Maine Fund (tobacco settlement monies). Should the money be spent on breakfast for kids or be used to discourage kids from smoking? E-mail (address below) your opinion soon. The Education Committee will be voting on this issue as early as Friday, Feb. 1.
There are numerous areas in which state spending can be cut. To balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens is unfortunate. I have heard from Caribou citizens as to what this would mean for foster children and seniors receiving home health care services.
The effort to make corrections to the school consolidation law is fluid and can best be summed up in one word — “turmoil”.
Rep. Edgecomb can be reached at home, 132 Baird Road, Caribou ME 04736; by home phone, 496-3188; by legislative phone, 287-1440; or online at pedgecom@maine.rr.com
