PITTSFIELD — The diverse and changing face of education and the challenges to fund it were the focus of the Tuesday morning meeting of the Sebasticook Valley Business Coalition.

Superintendents of SADs 48 and 53, William Braun and Terry McCannell, respectively, were the guest speakers at the group’s breakfast meeting at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield. The educators attended to advise the members how businesses could aid local schools.

The two superintendents highlighted local educational efforts that begin at birth and range beyond high school graduation. Both reported tremendous community support for the variety of programs offered, but stressed that education across the state is being asked to do more with less.

Responding to a question about the proposed increase of $55 million to state educational funding, Braun explained how the funds are allocated, making the final funding less than anticipated. He said that of the total $605 million allocated last year, $25 million was taken off the top for other educational programs before it was distributed to school districts.

The current proposal will not be added to what was received in total last year, but added to an earlier appropriation, decreasing its impact before it is approved, he said.

One of the 200 bills before the Education Committee addresses an attempt to return the school funding formula to its 1985 standing. Both superintendents stressed that the actual school subsidy received in SADs 48 and 53 is only just beginning to return to what it was in 1989.

The men lauded the local communities for a continuing commitment to education that lessened the impact of the cutbacks in state funding.

The message was not lost on the four legislators who attended the session.

Rep. Vaughn Stedman, R-Hartland, said legislators are aware of the needs in educational funding.

“Of all the committees, the Education Committee is the least partisan group,” Stedman said. “We’re trying to do things that are most favorable for people across the state.”

Stedman was joined at the session by Reps. Russ Treadwell, R-Carmel; Sumner Jones, R-Pittsfield; and Carol Weston, R-Montville. Stedman and Weston are members of the Education Committee.

Aside from funding, “it’s an exciting time to be in education,” said Braun, focusing on technological changes and the implementation of Maine’s Learning Results.

Changes that were only predictions a few years ago are happening now, he said.

“Computer technology is the most difficult thing to keep up with,” Braun said. “It’s changing daily.”

Communities and schools have to work together to be successful, he said, citing the cooperative effort under way in the SAD 48 town of Hartland. Working with Irving Tanning Co., the town, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program and a district bond issue, the district will construct an addition to the local school.

The addition will not be funded with state school construction money, but will accommodate school and community programs including day care for local workers and an early learning experience for preschoolers.

Working with the community is a strong point in SAD 48 with a number of outreach and community service programs operating out of Nokomis Regional High School, Braun said. Those efforts enhance the educational experience of the participating students and provide research services for state agencies and local businesses.

McCannell said education for many years has been defined by the education its administrators and instructors received. The Learning Results will change that, he said.

“The system needs to change to match the current [working] environment,” he said focusing on his district’s efforts to stress education as lifelong learning.

Changing how and what students learn also will change how they are assessed for their knowledge, ability and experience. A lifelong learning philosophy will aid students involved with “retooling and retraining” for changes in the work environment, he said. A school and community partnership will foster opportunities for students to see how education applies to their chosen careers or help them choose one.