[Local-Maine-Schools] Fw: A Disaster for our Schools.

[skip greenlaw]

Good evening everyone,

I thought you might like to read what Governor sent out to the Democratic mailing list today.  I am asking for equal time.  I intend to draft a press release response which I shall e-mail when it is done.  I regret that it appears that the Governor is attempting to make this a partisian matter by mailing it only to democrats.

We asked the Governor to debate us, but his office said  "no thank you".  It is too bad that the Governor of this great state and  Education Commissioner Susan Gendron are unwilling to debate the issue.   They have been the primary advocates for school consolidation for two years and unwilling to debate it publicy. Their unwillingness to debate says volumes about the status of school consolidation.

Sincerely,
Skip
----- Original Message ----- 
From: mpmctigue at aol.com 
To: skipg at midmaine.com 
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 2:58 PM
Subject: Fwd: A Disaster for our Schools. 


FYI. PLEASE READ!


-----Original Message-----
From: Arden Manning <press at mainedems.org>
To: mpmctigue at aol.com
Sent: Wed, Oct 14, 2009 2:18 pm
Subject: FW: A Disaster for our Schools


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                        Dear Pamela,

                        We'd like to share with you this important message from Governor John Baldacci about Question 3 on the ballot this November. 


                        Begin Forwarding Message:
                        On Oct. 14, Governor Baldacci wrote:






                        I am writing to urge you to vote 'No' on Question 3 this November.  
                         
                        You may not have heard much about this issue, but I can assure you that if Question 3 passes it will be a disaster for our schools and our students.
                         
                        Senator Edmund Muskie famously asked in 1975 why can't Democrats "start raising hell about a government so big, so complex, so expansive, and so unresponsive that it's dragging down every good program we've worked for?" That challenge is even more important today than it was nearly 35 years ago. 
                         
                        In 2007, the Legislature passed and I signed the school district consolidation laws. This reform reorganized the very high number of school districts in Maine (290) into regional districts so that we have a smarter, more sustainable public education program.
                         
                        The reforms are working well for our students. 85% of them (more than 160,000) are in districts in compliance with the new law. Districts that have regionalized have seen an expansion of gifted and talented programs and foreign languages in just the first year.
                         
                        As an added benefit, school district consolidation will save more than $37 million every year once implemented. That's $37 million more that can be put towards new resources for students, better teacher pay or property tax relief.  
                         
                        Despite what the other side is claiming, the law deals only with administrative districts.  Teachers and schools are not affected. Every teacher will be working and every school will be open - in fact, every school will be stronger because of reform.
                         
                        Over the last seven years, I have worked hard to take care of our most needy citizens and to provide a good value to the Maine taxpayer. You have been an integral part of that effort and that is why your 'No' vote on Question 3 is so important.  
                         
                        Question 3 would be a terrible step in the wrong direction. We cannot afford to go back to the old, inefficient, overly bureaucratic way of doing things in Maine, especially when it doesn't do anything to help our kids
                         
                        Please join me in preventing the repeal of school district reform by voting 'No' on Question 3.  
                        It costs too much and hurts our schools.   
                         
                        Sincerely,

                        Governor John Baldacci


                        For more information, visit www.coststoomuch.com
                       
                        PAID FOR BY THE MAINE DEMOCRATIC PARTY 
                        NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE
                       
                 
                 
                            
                 
                 
           
           
     


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