Sutherland appointed to lead teachers’ study commission

    AUGUSTA – Rep. Patricia Sutherland (D-Chapman) was recently appointed as House chair of the Study Commission Regarding Teachers’ Compensation. The Commission was created by legislation sponsored by Sutherland during the first session of the 124th Maine Legislature.     The commission will examine teachers’ compensation and issues that are related, including effects of salaries and benefits on programs, student-teacher ratios, state subsidies, collective bargaining alternatives, recruitment and other factors.
    The emergency legislation was signed into law by Gov. John E. Baldacci June 18, and requires the commission to submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by Dec. 1. The Committee is then authorized to introduce legislation for consideration during the second regular session of the 124th Legislature.
    “The school administrative unit consolidation process has had its share of ups and downs, and the Education Committee has remained committed to making the process work for the different units throughout the state,” said Sutherland, who is the House chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee. “The more information we have, the better able we will be to assist units with the transition.”
    The commission is comprised of eight members – two senators, three members of the House of Representatives, one teacher recommended by the president of the Maine Education Association, one superintendent or member of a school board of a school administrative unit, recommended by the President of the Maine School Boards Association and the President of the Maine School Superintendents Association, and one public member holding a professional position outside of public education in human resources management and specializing in compensation, recommended by the Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management.
    Sutherland also sponsored legislation that updated curriculum requirements for high school diplomas. In particular, the new law recognizes the various opportunities available to students for learning. The law includes such programs as apprenticeships, advanced placement, adult education, and career and technical education. The law went into effect Sept. 12.