AUGUSTA — State Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen told lawmakers Monday that he will report back March 31 with more information on the state’s child development services program.

The $6.1 billion, two-year budget proposed by Gov. Paul LePage would eliminate a provision that allows preschool children with disabilities to continue to get child development services for an additional year before they are required to enroll in kindergarten.

That initiative would save more than $800,000 a year, Bowen told members of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Education committees.

However, a staff report that’s due to be completed by the end of this month will explore other options and give lawmakers more information about the child development services program, he said.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.