Maine Commissioner of Education
| Maine Commissioner of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $158,808 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $2,204,783,573 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the governor's pleasure |
| Authority: | Main Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, Chapter 3, §251-A |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
Maine Commissioner of Education
Pender Makin | |
| Other Maine Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner • Superintendent of Insurance • Labor Commissioner • Public Utilities Commission | |
The Maine Commissioner of Education is an appointed position in the Maine state government. The commissioner serves as head of the Maine Department of Education.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Maine Commissioner of Education is Pender Makin (nonpartisan). Makin assumed office in 2019.
Authority
The Maine Revised Statutes address the office of commissioner of education in Title 20-A, Chapter 3, §251-A.[1]
|
The commissioner is the chief executive officer of the department. |
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Maine Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Appointments
The commissioner of education is nominated by the Governor of Maine and must be confirmed by the Legislature.[2]
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Maine Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
The commissioner of education is responsible for overseeing the Maine Department of Education, which regulates education in the state. The commissioner also provides technical assistance and educational leadership in the state.[1]
State budget
- See also: Maine state budget and finances
The Department of Education's budget for fiscal year 2025 was $2,204,783,573.[3]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $158,808, according to the Council of State Governments.[4]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $152,693, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $143,936, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $139,734, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $139,734, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2018
In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $135,658, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $121,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2016
In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $123,698, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2015
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $108,930, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner was paid an estimated $102,689, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2013
In 2013, the commissioner was paid an estimated $102,689, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Maine Commissioner of Education has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Noteworthy events
Concerns over temporary commissioners
Maine law stipulates that temporary commissioners are only supposed to serve for six months. In April 20166, Gov. Paul LePage (R) appointed Debra Plowman to assume the title of "temporary commissioner." However, a spokesperson for the governor explained that this title was only a technicality and that Beardsley would remain in charge of the department.[15] Pursuant to this, LePage approved a financial order that would allow Beardsley to assume many of the duties of commissioner through April 2018, while remaining a "temporary deputy commissioner."[16] Maine Democrats, like Sen. Rebecca Millett criticized the governor's actions:
| “ | The Department of Education is charged with leading our public schools, education policy, and a more than $1 billion budget. Its work touches nearly every single Mainer at some point in their lives. Maine people deserve vetted leadership at the top of DOE. That means a commissioner who received a hearing in front of the Education Committee and a vote by the Senate – not a disciple of Gov. LePage who slid into the job through a back door.[16][17] | ” |
The Maine School Superintendents' Association also called on Gov. LePage to appoint a permanent commissioner who could be confirmed by the Maine State Legislature:
| “ | We urge you to exercise your leadership and outline the process and qualifications you envision for finally naming a permanent commissioner. The uncertainty around that position has … been an ongoing problem since the end of 2014, and our concern is it will continue for the remaining two-and-half years of your second term. School administrators, and their boards, need a well-run Department of Education to effectively run their schools and provide the best education possible for our students. We believe restoring that relationship is essential.[18][17] | ” |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Maine Commissioner of Education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Physical address:
111 Sewall St.
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Phone: (207) 624-6600
Fax: (207) 624-6700
See also
- Superintendent of Schools
- Maine Department of Education
- Maine school districts
- Public education in Maine
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Maine Revised Statutes, "Title 20-A, Chapter 3, §251-A," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Maine Revised Statutes, "§251," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "2024-2025 Biennium," accessed January 17, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Council of state governments, "Table 4.11 Selected state administrative officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 20, 2021
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, "Superintendents urge LePage to appoint permanent education commissioner," accessed July 31, 2016
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Portland Press Herald, "LePage signs order that keeps embattled education chief in office," accessed August 1, 2016
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, "Superintendents urge LePage to appoint permanent education commissioner," accessed August 1, 2016
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