What the State of Maine Actually Requires — And What It Does Not

MSAD 52 board members have claimed that rising costs are largely due to “state-mandated raises.” This is misleading. The State of Maine does not require automatic yearly raises for most school employees. The vast majority of salary increases are decided locally through negotiations between the school board and employee unions. Below is a clear breakdown of what the state actually requires versus what it does not.

State Requirements Breakdown

Certified Teachers – Minimum Starting Salary Only

The State of Maine sets a minimum starting salary for new certified teachers. It does not require yearly raises for current teachers.

View State Law on Teacher Minimum Salary

Educational Technicians – Minimum Hourly Wage Only

The state sets a minimum hourly wage for Educational Technicians. It does not require yearly raises above that minimum.

View State Law on Ed Tech Minimum Wage

What the State of Maine Does NOT Require

All of the above are decided locally through contract negotiations between the school board and employee groups.

The State of Maine does not mandate the following:

Automatic yearly raises (step increases) for current classroom teachers
Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)
Raises for Instructional Coaches
Raises for Administrators (Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, etc.)

Who Controls Compensation in MSAD 52

Classroom Teachers, Bus Drivers, Sports Coaches, and Front Office Staff

We support these employees — the people who work directly with students every day. While the State of Maine sets minimum salary or wage floors for some of these groups, most raises are negotiated locally between the school board and the unions. The school board has significant control over how much (or how little) it agrees to in raises each year.

Instructional Coaches and Administrators

There is no state requirement for raises for Instructional Coaches or school administrators. Their compensation is fully controlled by the local school board through contract negotiations.

When the MSAD 52 School Board claims that budget increases are primarily driven by “state-mandated raises,” they are shifting responsibility away from their own decisions. The reality is that the school board has significant control over compensation for the majority of district employees. The board — not the State of Maine — is responsible for negotiating contracts and controlling spending.

Taxpayers deserve honest answers. The school board — not the State of Maine — is responsible for negotiating compensation and controlling spending.