cac y
o Adv
Advocating for the Profession
D
ozens of students, teachers and support staff took to the halls of the State House to send a clear message to those who make education policy decisions—put students, teaching and learning first. Several bills and funding decisions discussed in Augusta during the 127th legislative session will impact your work and how you educate your students. MEA members and their children worked to gain lawmaker approval for the MEA supported Stand Up for Students education funding initiative, a bill to increase starting teacher pay, and a measure to put a hold on tying testing to teacher evaluation. Member voices made an impact, and many lawmakers not only listened but followed through to support students with their votes.
STAND
UP
for Students $157 MILLIoN REASoNS To VoTE YES
Teachers, Students, Parents and Businesses Prepare to Get out the Vote for School Funding Initiative, Ask for Lawmaker Support
In four short months, Maine Education Association members, a coalition of parents, community members, and business owners worked to gather enough signatures to place the Stand Up for Students education funding initiative on the November ballot. In March, the Secretary of State announced the initiative, which will provide $157 million more for public schools in the first year, with additional funding each year thereafter, had enough valid signatures to make the ballot. The MEA supported initiative will finally bring the State to the 55% funding level mandated by voters more than a decade ago. Phyllis Hunter (Washburn TA), Rep. Carol McElwee Members spoke with (R-Caribou), and Lou Willey (UD 15 Director) with lawmakers in Augusta to students from Caribou Schools ask for their support for the measure.
House Speaker Mark Eves (D-North Berwick) meets with students at the State House.
chance to help their students is a step in the right direction—especially in the face of chronic underfunding from the State. “Learning the Stand Up for Students initiative will be on the November ballot gives me hope that in the coming years my students will get the opportunities they deserve, more support programs like Alternative Education and behavior programs, more resources in the classroom like current textbooks and instruments and supplies in our music and art classes,” added Hargrove. The MEA supported Stand Up for Students ballot initiative will bring state funding back to the 2008 level and provide our schools the resources they need to give every child a quality education with equal opportunities, regardless of their zip code. To learn more about Stand Up for Students and volunteer to help the measure pass in November, log on to www.standupforstudentsmaine.org.
“I gathered signatures to put this education funding question on the ballot and it is a good day today knowing Mainers will get the chance to speak out, with their vote, in support of public schools.” - Ciara Hargrove, Waterville EA
“Had this additional funding been in place in 2015, my school district would have received $1.1 million more in funding—that kind of money is game changing for students,” said teacher Ciara Hargrove, Waterville EA. For the more than 300 members, like Hargrove, who helped collect signatures to place the question on the ballot, the news voters will get a 18
Maine Educator • April 2016
Ina Demers (Portland EA) with Rep. Jeff Hanley (R-PIttston)
