FARMINGTON — The Maine Legislature wants to know what people think of the state’s Essential Programs and Services funding formula.
The Maine Legislature has contracted with Lawrence O. Picus and Associates to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the EPS school funding system.
As part of that, Picus will hold four public forums throughout the state on Tuesday, July 16, Wednesday, July 17, and Thursday, July 18.
The Farmington forum will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 103 at W. G. Mallett School at 116 Middle St.
All interested parties — educators, parents, taxpayers and interested citizens — are encouraged to attend one of the forums. The forums will seek input on any topic related to the operation of the EPS funding system, including but not limited to:
* The specific resources included (or should be included) in the EPS funding system to determine how much revenue each school district receives.
* The way revenues are raised and distributed to school districts in Maine and the equity of the funding system.
* The relative state/local share of school costs and the overall level of education spending in Maine.
* Teacher compensation.
The information provided at the forums will help Lawrence O. Picus and Associates develop its final recommendations to the Legislature. For more information about specific forums, contact Lawrence O. Picus at lpicus@lpicus.com.
For more information on the study, as well as copies of Picus’s initial report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, visit the Legislature’s website at http://www.maine.gov/legis/opla/EPSfundingmaterials.htm or www.lpicus.com.
Other forums will be held in the following locations from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
* Tuesday, July 16, at Presque Isle High School Auditorium, 16 Griffin St.
* Wednesday, July 17, at Bangor High School Lecture Hall, 885 Broadway.
* Thursday, July 18, at Casco Bay High School, the second floor at 196 Allen Ave. in Portland.
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