AUGUSTA - Rep. Ed Crockett, D-Portland, presented LD 974, An Act to Establish Minimum Pay for Educational Technicians and Other School Support Staff, before the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Thursday. The bill would increase pay for educational technicians up to 133% of the state minimum wage and for other school support staff up to 125% of the state minimum wage beginning on Oct. 1, 2023.
"The support staff in our schools are the backbone of our classrooms and our educational system," said Crockett. "Ed techs provide significant support to our teachers and students. However, their pay has historically not reflected this important role. This legislation creates a foundation to establish a pay scale that respects those that give so much but are not compensated adequately."
This legislation would address a key issue facing education in Maine, with school districts across the state struggling to recruit ed techs and other critical support staff positions.
The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Crockett is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business and the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. He is serving his third term in the Maine House and represents parts of Portland and Falmouth.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Crockett], c. 305-965-2744