By State Rep. Mark Worth
The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler and the new school year is underway. It's an exciting time of hope and new connections for students, educators and parents here in Ellsworth and across Maine.
In the Legislature, we've been working to support our public schools and create an educational system where every student can succeed. Over the last two years, we've prioritized legislation to continue funding 55% of K-12 public education costs, which the state is doing here in Ellsworth. Ellsworth public schools have seen an increase in funding, with the state share rising from $10 million in 2023-24 to roughly $11.5 million for this school year, truly a welcome sight for our community. We also took steps to provide free school breakfast and lunch for all students, improve access to special education programs and help vulnerable students avoid homelessness.
In addition, I sponsored a bill this past session that aims to increase access to extended learning opportunities, which are programs for high school students that include paid meaningful work experiences and skills development that could be applied towards an academic credit or professional certification upon graduation. I am happy to report that my bill passed with bipartisan support and was signed by Gov. Mills.
These initiatives will help address the real challenges facing our students and improve educational outcomes, which should always be our focus in Augusta. However, many educational issues have recently become politically charged and contentious, which does nothing to help tackle the challenges that our schools are actually facing. Criminalizing Maine teachers and librarians and depriving school bookshelves of educational materials would simply hurt our students, who need our support now more than ever.
My commitment will always be to provide teachers and students with what they actually need to be successful - helping to create a brighter future for our state.
Worth is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents House District 13, which includes Fletcher's Landing Township, Waltham, Ellsworth and Central Hancock. He serves on the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.