A series of workshops aimed at empowering parents to advocate for improved public education in Maine is set to begin next week at Deering High School in Portland. The workshops, organized to provide families with the tools and knowledge to engage effectively in the state’s legislative process, come as the Maine Department of Education continues to address ongoing concerns regarding school funding and safety protocols.
The first session, “Legislative Advocacy 101 — From Idea to Impact,” will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2026, and led by Betsy Sweet, founder and principal of Moose Ridge Associates. The session will focus on demystifying the Maine legislative process, covering how bills become law, the role of committees and public hearings, and strategies for effective communication with legislators. Participants will receive guidance on preparing and delivering both oral and written testimony, as well as techniques for organizing and mobilizing support for their advocacy efforts.
A follow-up panel discussion on March 18 will feature Destie Hohman Sprague, Executive Director of the Maine Women’s Lobby & MWL Education Fund; Heather Marden, Co-Executive Director of the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children (MAEYC); and Julie Shirmer, Past President and Policy Chair of the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-Maine). The panelists will share insights into successful advocacy campaigns, challenges encountered, and lessons learned about sustaining advocacy efforts.
The workshop series will conclude on April 2, 2026, with a session led by Amy Johnson, PhD, of the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (MEPRI). Dr. Johnson will provide an overview of Maine’s Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula, explaining how state and local funding responsibilities are determined and discussing current challenges and policy considerations. The session will specifically address the impact of the funding formula in Portland and explore proposed changes and their potential consequences.
The Maine Department of Education has recently been involved in rulemaking processes, including revisions to Chapter 115 regarding the credentialing of education personnel, following a report to the Legislature in 2023. Simultaneously, the Maine School Transportation Safety Commission, established in January 2026 by Executive Order in response to recent student fatalities, is reviewing school transportation protocols and safety standards. The Commission’s first meeting was held on February 27, 2026, and It’s tasked with producing updated best practices for school bus safety and identifying potential improvements to existing rules.
All sessions will be recorded and made available on the Parent University website, and childcare will be provided. The Office of Policy and Government Affairs within the Maine Department of Education serves as a communication conduit between education stakeholders and the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee in the Maine Legislature.