This week, teachers are beginning to welcome students back to the classroom. While I no longer have children of my own in the school system, I remember this transition evoking a mix of excitement and sadness as the long leisurely days of summer would come to an end, replaced by more familiar routines, packed lunches and after school activities. It’s always an adjustment for students and parents alike.

The start of this school year comes after an arduous school budget process that has generated a great deal of discussion throughout town. Balancing the competing priorities of keeping property taxes at a manageable level and providing all of the services and opportunities that our children need to learn and thrive is no easy feat. Schools play a much bigger role than just providing our childrens’ education. They ensure kids get the nutrition they need during the week and act as critical spaces for social and emotional development.

Towns and property taxpayers have traditionally been responsible for funding the majority of public education and the vital services schools provide students, but the state has an important role here, too. Over the past couple of years, the Legislature has taken steps to help support children and schools across Maine in several ways, including by fulfilling the state’s obligation to fully fund 55% of public education costs.

This year, we also continued to fund free school lunch for all students. Maine children suffer the highest rate of child food insecurity in New England. Before the pandemic, 80,000 Maine kids relied on school meals every day, and the number of children experiencing food insecurity statewide has increased significantly since then. Continuing to fund this program means that public schools will provide school meals to all students for free, regardless of their families’ income. This not only helps ensure kids don’t go hungry, but also helps reduce the negative stigma that can accompany receiving free meals at school.

We also passed a bill that works to prevent student homelessness by helping schools identify students whose families are at risk of becoming unhoused. This measure helps families access direct state and federal financial support. When a family is struggling financially, early intervention is crucial. Because many aid programs require a home address, unhoused families can face challenges in getting the assistance they need to get back on their feet. By identifying families at risk of homelessness and getting them access to support right away, we can preempt a further downward spiral and stop the cycle of poverty in its tracks. Schools offer an ideal opportunity for identification and intervention.