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District urges support for LD-226, says subsidy reform could add roughly $1.2 million to RSU 57
Summary
Superintendent Mark told the public LD-226 would change elements of the state subsidy formula (adding weight for economically disadvantaged and special-education factors) and projected RSU 57 could gain about $1.2 million in state subsidy in the year after 2026-27 if the bill passes.
At a public meeting, RSU 57 leaders urged constituents to review pending state legislation, LD-226, that the district says would revise the state's Essential Programs and Services subsidy formula.
Superintendent Mark described the current formula as heavily weighted toward property valuation and enrollment and said it fails to account adequately for economically disadvantaged students and higher special-education costs. He called LD-226 "one of the most significant changes to educational finance in the state of Maine in a long time" and said a hold-harmless provision would protect districts that would otherwise lose funding.
Using district projections shown in the presentation, Mark said RSU 57 would not see a material benefit in the 2026-27 budget year but that under the bill's weighting the district could see about a $1.2 million increase in state subsidy in the following year. He encouraged residents to contact state representatives and senators to support the bill.
The district did not present legislative language or a fiscal note during the meeting; the claim of a $1.2 million increase is a district projection based on LD-226's reported changes to subsidy calculations. No lawmakers or outside fiscal analysts responded at the meeting. The district said it would continue to monitor the bill's progress in Augusta and update constituents as more information becomes available.
