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In an effort to mollify these concerns, the Department of Education added language that says educators can’t be removed if questions of bad faith taint the ratings they receive. As the committee prepared for a final vote, the other big outstanding question concerned money. How, in a time of tight finances, are local districts going to be able to afford ot implement these new systems?
“My question is, if you’re either a minimum receiver or a school district that gets just above a minimum receiver amount, who would pay for it?” Asked Justin Alfond, a Democratic state Senator from Portland. “Is it the local community then would be straddled to pay for whatever the cost to develop and implement the evaluation system?”
Esssentially, yes, answered Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen. It may not have been what Alfond was looking to hear. But it didn’t stop him and the 13 other lawmakers on the committee from unanimously moving the bill on to the full Legislature.
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