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RSU 57 superintendent Stephen Marquis urges support for LD 226, says funding formula shortchanges district
Summary
At an RSU 57 Finance Committee meeting, Superintendent Stephen Marquis read testimony he delivered to the Maine Education and Cultural Affairs Committee urging passage of LD‑226, arguing the current subsidy formula leaves RSU 57 far below regional peers in per‑pupil funding and that LD‑226 could deliver roughly $1.2–$1.3 million to the district by FY28.
Stephen Marquis, superintendent of Regional School Unit 57, told the district’s Finance Committee that LD‑226 would begin to correct what he described as “a broken” state subsidy formula that leaves the six‑town district significantly underfunded.
“My name is Stephen Marquis and I serve as superintendent of Regional School Unit 57,” Marquis said as he read testimony he delivered in Augusta. He told the committee RSU 57 serves about 2,885 students, nearly 46 percent of whom qualify as economically disadvantaged, and that the district’s per‑pupil spending is far below regional and state averages.
Marquis cited specific shortfalls the bill would address, saying the district could receive between $1.2 million and $1.3 million more in state subsidy in fiscal 2028 under the Department of Education’s study of the proposal. “The education a child receives in Maine should not be determined by the zip code in which they reside,” he said.
Board members and administrators discussed the broader legislative context after the reading. Administration and several board members described LD‑226 as broadly supported by key stakeholders — the Maine Superintendent’s Association, the Maine Education Association and the Department of Education — while noting some wealthier districts have asked for hold‑harmless language that could limit immediate redistributions.
Marquis laid out examples comparing RSU 57 to other districts, saying some wealthier coastal or suburban districts receive thousands of dollars more per student under the existing formula. He told the committee LD‑226 includes two early ‘‘rungs’’ intended to adjust regional staffing factors and create an economically disadvantaged adjustment to the mill‑rate expectation, changes he said would channel additional subsidy to districts like RSU 57.
School leaders told the committee they will continue advocacy in Augusta; Marquis said he plans to return for work sessions and asked board members to remain informed as the Legislature considers the bill. The committee did not take a formal vote on LD‑226 during the meeting. The board and administration said they will continue outreach to local leaders and report back as the legislative process advances.
