Maine News Updates

PORTLAND — School officials from South Portland and Scarborough have been invited to Wednesday's School Committee meeting, where local legislators will discuss anticipated reductions in state education aid.

Gov. John Baldacci has asked Education Commissioner Susan Gendron to reduce state funding to schools by $38 million in the fiscal year that ends June 30, and by an additional $53 million in 2010-11.

Baldacci is expected to deliver a supplemental budget proposal to the Legislature in December that will reflect the reductions. Portland public schools could lose about $2.7 million in state aid.

Portland Superintendent Jim Morse said officials from the other school districts wanted to attend Wednesday's meeting because they have similar concerns about mid-year budget cuts.

The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. in Room 321 at Portland Arts and Technology High School on Allen Avenue.