2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 20-A: EDUCATION › Part 7: SCHOOL FINANCE › Chapter 606-B: ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES › 20-A §15679. Calculation of salary and benefit costs; other school level staff

§15679. Calculation of salary and benefit costs; other school level staff
1.  Salary and benefit costs; other school level positions.
The commissioner shall annually determine, for each school administrative unit, the salary and benefit costs of all school level positions other than teaching positions, referred to in this section as "staff," that are necessary to carry out this Act.
[PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
2.  Students-to-staff ratios.
In calculating the salary and benefit costs pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall utilize the student-to-staff ratios specified in paragraphs A and B and adjusted as provided in paragraph C.
A. For the elementary school level and the middle school level:
(1) Beginning July 1, 2017, the student-to-education technician ratio is 114:1 for the elementary school level and 312:1 for the middle school level;
(2) The student-to-guidance staff ratio is 350:1;
(3) The student-to-librarian ratio is 800:1;
(4) The student-to-media assistant ratio is 500:1;
(5) The student-to-health staff ratio is 800:1;
(6) The student-to-school administrative staff ratio is 305:1; and
(7) The student-to-clerical staff ratio is 200:1.   [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §33 (AMD).]
B. For the high school level:
(1) Beginning July 1, 2017, the student-to-education technician ratio is 316:1;
(2) The student-to-guidance staff ratio is 250:1;
(3) The student-to-librarian ratio is 800:1;
(4) The student-to-media assistant ratio is 500:1;
(5) The student-to-health staff ratio is 800:1;
(6) The student-to-school administrative staff ratio is 315:1; and
(7) The student-to-clerical staff ratio is 200:1.   [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §33 (AMD).]
C. Beginning in fiscal year 2012-13, and for each subsequent fiscal year, if the total attending student population for a school administrative unit is less than 1,200 students, the commissioner shall reduce the ratios set forth in paragraphs A and B by 10%.   [PL 2011, c. 419, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §33 (AMD).]
3.  Number of staff positions required.
The commissioner shall identify for each school administrative unit, using the pupil count arrived at under section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C or D, whichever is applicable, the number of staff positions that are required in order to achieve the student-to-staff ratios set forth in subsection 2.
[PL 2021, c. 428, §7 (AMD).]
4.  Estimated salary costs.
The commissioner shall determine the estimated salary costs for the number of staff positions required under subsection 3. In order to calculate this amount, the commissioner, where appropriate, shall use the salary matrix pursuant to section 15677 for all staff positions in each category.
[PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
5.  Salary costs for substitute teachers.
The commissioner shall calculate the additional salary costs for substitute teachers for each school administrative unit using the pupil count arrived at under section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C or D, whichever is applicable. In order to calculate this amount, the commissioner shall establish a per-pupil rate for the cost of a substitute teacher for 1/2 day.
[PL 2021, c. 428, §8 (AMD).]
6.  Total salary and benefit costs for staff.
The total salary and benefit costs for staff is equal to the sum of:
A. The estimated salary costs determined pursuant to subsection 4;   [PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
B. The amount, as determined by the commissioner, that equals the statewide percentage of estimated salary costs determined pursuant to subsection 4 that represents the statewide benefit costs; and   [PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
C. The substitute teacher salary costs determined pursuant to subsection 5.   [PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 504, §A6 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 419, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §33 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 428, §§7, 8 (AMD).