Protecting GPA

The printouts of what each community would receive under next year’s General Purpose Aid to Education aren’t due out until Friday. But lawmakers following this crucial funding source for local schools know the planned 2.3 percent boost over the current level is going to look dismal once cranked through the funding formula.

Contrary to comments in a news report, passed along in an editorial last weekend, Senate President Rick Bennett says GPA is off the table for him; he stands firmly opposed to any cuts to the 2.3 percent GPA increase, an excellent position to take. However, he will find himself pressured, from one side, by lawmakers who see the $718 million program as an opportunity to help start closing the state’s $250 million shortfall. From the other side will be those who have seen the printouts and know their communities will lose under this increase. They’ll likely be pressing for a larger increase, and they will have a serious argument.

Consider that property valuations in Maine rose, on average, 7.2 percent last year, meaning that in some towns the increase was in double digits. At the same time, the statewide student population dropped 1 percent, meaning some towns saw drops of perhaps 3 or 4 percent. Combine the small GPA increase with a substantial rise in valuation and a slight drop in the number of students and the result likely will be a lot of communities hurting.

Senate President Bennett’s challenge is, first, to continue to protect the slight increase that currently is proposed and, second, should February’s revenue-forecast numbers offer better news for Maine, to be among the leaders willing to put additional money in the school budget. It looks like a tough year for education. GPA is going to need plenty of strong advocates in Augusta.