More than 1,200 educators, including teachers, education technicians and administrators, quit in 2021 before reaching retirement age, the most in the past seven years, according to data compiled by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
One Maine school district is paying teachers an hourly stipend to act as custodial staff after work. Another is trying to recruit parents to work as educational technicians. A third has 12 teacher openings it needs to fill before school starts Aug.
AUGUSTA The Senate has voted to enact and fund a bill from Senator Chip Curry, D-Belfast, and have sent the bill to Governor Janet Mills.
LD 1517, “An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute,” received a bipartisan, unanimous support.
“Workforce development is one of my top priorities,” said Sen. Curry. “Here in Waldo County, we know that economic advancement is one of the biggest hurdles so many of us face. By establishing the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute, we’re going to really focus on having meaningful solutions to help our workers and businesses. I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues to get this program funded and turned into law.”
AUGUSTA The Legislature’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee approved a bill from Senator Chip Curry, D-Belfast, to create a nonpartisan research institute to provide the Legislature with information and policy options to improve Maine’s economy.
An amended version of LD 1517, “An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute,” received a bipartisan, unanimous vote of support from those present, with three members absent.
“The Institute is going to be a great resource for our committee – and for the entire Legislature – in crafting policy that will make life better for Maine people,” said Sen. Curry. “As we look for the best way to invest in our workforce and grow our economy, we’re going to need hard data and information about what’s working in other state. The Institute will be a great asset, and I thank my fellow committee members for their support.”