An Act to Increase Funding for the Maine School of Science and Mathematics
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1458
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: JACKSON, BABIN, DUSON, GROHOSKI, RAFFERTY, STEWART, MILLETT
Amends: 20-A MRSA §8202

Legislative Document
No. 1458
S.P. 576
In Senate, March 30, 2023
An Act to Increase Funding for the Maine School of Science and 
Mathematics
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by President JACKSON of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Representative BABIN of Fort Fairfield and
Senators: DUSON of Cumberland, GROHOSKI of Hancock, RAFFERTY of York, 
STEWART of Aroostook, Representative: MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §8202, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2009, c. 486, §1, is further 
amended to read:
2.  Tuition; room and board; funding.  Students from this State may attend the school 
free of tuition charges and free of the cost of room and board.  Additional funding for 
students from this State may be provided within amounts appropriated for that purpose as 
follows.
A.  The amount must be paid in 4 equal quarterly payments during the year of 
attendance.  The first payment must be made by July 31st.  The amount of tuition and 
other costs paid for all students is limited to the amount appropriated for this purpose.  
To be eligible for state funding under this paragraph, a student must have resided in 
Maine with a parent, other relative or guardian for at least 6 months immediately 
preceding application to the school.
B.  Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, effective July 1, 1996 and to the 
extent funds are not appropriated for this purpose, the student or the student's parent or 
guardian shall pay to the school the cost of room and board for the school year.  In the 
case of financial need, the State shall pay to the school the difference between the cost 
of room and board and the student's or the student's family's ability to pay that cost.  
The board of trustees shall adopt rules governing the determination of financial need 
and the cost and schedule of payment of room and board under this paragraph.  The 
determination of financial need must be based on a nationally recognized public or 
private school financial needs assessment system.  A student may use scholarship funds 
in place of payment for all or part of the cost of room and board and any other fees or 
expenses incurred as a result of that student's enrollment at the school.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics to 
support a 10% increase in wages for employees.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$485,375
$485,375
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$485,375
$485,375
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics to 
reinstate critical positions in the areas of student support, instruction, admissions and 
operations eliminated due to budget constraints.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$250,000
$250,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$250,000
$250,000
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics to 
address cost increases for transportation, lease payments, books and supplies for academic 
departments and other operational needs.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$150,500
$150,500
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$150,500
$150,500
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics for 
professional development and training.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$25,000
$25,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$25,000
$25,000
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics for the 
cost of room and board for students attending the school.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$990,903
$990,903
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$990,903
$990,903
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
2023-24
2024-25
GENERAL FUND
$1,901,778
$1,901,778
__________
__________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS
$1,901,778
$1,901,778
SUMMARY
This bill appropriates funding to support the Maine School of Science and Mathematics 
and provides that students from the State may attend the school without paying the cost of 
room and board.