Education committee reports early biennial budget priorities to Appropriations, highlights homeless-student funding and teacher pay

Members of the Maine Legislature’s Education Committee on Wednesday gave an in-person report to the Appropriations Committee on early work on the state’s biennial education budget, saying they have heard roughly 15 of an expected 187 bills and have identified several early priorities.

The Education Committee’s House chair, Representative Drew Gatine, and Senate members told Appropriations that the committee supports continuing the state’s main education grant program as configured and has prioritized funding for homeless students, community schools, preschool supports and a teacher minimum salary proposal.

Senator Peggy Rotundo, Senate chair of the Appropriations Committee, opened the joint session and invited Education Committee leaders to summarize their review of the biennial budget work. "Please understand that for us, it's…