S. Portland, ME: As enrollment declines, SPED costs increase

June 1, 2017, South Portland (ME) Press Herald: Maine House Republican leader: Education spending must be efficient, effective http://www.pressherald.com/2017/06/01/maine-house-republican-leader-education-spending-must-be-efficient-effective / As enrollment in our public schools declines and costs steadily climb, Republicans are working to adapt our fragmented public education system. We must provide assurance to Mainers that taxpayer money invested in education is targeted to truly benefit Maine students…. We must reshape Maine’s education overhead and infrastructure to efficiently and effectively serve our declining student population. Our school infrastructure was created for an enrollment of 250,000 students. Today, our student population is below 180,000 and dropping. … We recognize that rising costs for special education are driving increases in spending at the state and local level. We stand ready to address the rising cost of special education while increasing access to services.