Biddeford Leaders Call for More Equitable School Funding

Superintendent and state representative say current formula creates 'ZIP code crisis' that disadvantages lower-income districts

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The superintendent of Biddeford-area schools, Jeremy Ray, says Maine needs to change its formula for state funding of school districts to be more equitable. Ray's analysis found that a child in the York school system has access to $27,427 in educational funding per year, while a child in the Biddeford school system has access to only $16,467 — a difference of almost $10,000 annually. State Rep. Marc Malon, D-York, who represents part of Biddeford, agrees the current funding formula is unfair, calling Biddeford a 'high-poverty, low-funding district' whose educational needs are not reflected in the formula.

Why it matters

The funding formula is based largely on property valuations, which puts lower-income municipalities at a disadvantage. Biddeford is one of the most impoverished cities in Maine, but its educational funding does not reflect that, leaving its students without access to programs that could help pull them out of poverty.

The details

The existing school funding formula in Maine relies heavily on property valuations to determine how much the state will contribute to each district. This has created a 'ZIP code crisis' where children in wealthier areas have significantly more educational resources than those in poorer areas. A legislative committee has voted to introduce a bill that would overhaul the funding formula based on recommendations from the Maine Educational Policy Research Institute.

  • On February 13, 2026, Superintendent Jeremy Ray published an analysis highlighting the funding disparities between school districts.
  • This week, a Maine legislative committee voted to initiate major changes to the school funding formula.

The players

Jeremy Ray

Superintendent of the Biddeford-area school districts, including Biddeford, Dayton, and Saco.

Marc Malon

State Representative, D-York, who represents part of Biddeford.

Amy Johnson

Researcher at the nonpartisan Maine Educational Policy Research Institute, which has been studying the school funding formula at the Legislature's direction.

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What they’re saying

“Kids in different ZIP codes have a whole lot more money behind them than other places.”

— Jeremy Ray, Superintendent (pressherald.com)

“The way schools are funded right now means districts like Biddeford are left out to dry. I don't think there's intent behind that, but changes are needed.”

— Marc Malon, State Representative (pressherald.com)

“Higher-poverty districts that do not have sufficient funding have worse student-to-teacher ratios, but kids who are coming from a situation of high poverty have a higher amount of needs for services.”

— Marc Malon, State Representative (pressherald.com)

What’s next

A public hearing has not yet been set for the bill to overhaul the school funding formula, but the legislative committee has directed the Legislative Information Office to draft the bill.

The takeaway

The current school funding formula in Maine has created a 'ZIP code crisis' that puts lower-income districts like Biddeford at a significant disadvantage, depriving their students of critical educational resources and programs. Reforming this outdated and inequitable formula is essential to ensuring all Maine students have access to the same educational opportunities, regardless of their socioeconomic background or where they live.