Fast Facts

Interesting facts and quotes about Association membership and public education in Maine and beyond. Have an idea or stat you want shared? Send it along with your name and local to gbechard@maineea.org

“Voters have been waiting since 2003 for leadership in Maine to fulfill the result of the referendum requiring the state to fund 55 percent of K-12 public

education. More than 72 percent of voters wanted the state to reach that funding level. We didn’t get immediate or incremental relief. Instead, local budgets have faced increasing education costs, leading to cuts in programs and increased property tax burdens. Tired of waiting, a

group of citizens and businesses have come together with a solution…Hat’s off to Stand Up for Students…I wish

the group great success.” - Patricia Callahan, Bangor Daily News article: “State government has had 13 years to fund Maine schools at the level set in law. Enough.”

More Influence

For the first time in more than six years, more Americans would like to see labor unions have a greater influence in the country rather than less (37% more / 35% less / 24% same), according to a recent Gallup poll.

66%

of Americans ages 18-34 approve of labor unions, the highest percentage of all age brackets according to a recent Gallup Poll.

39 th

Maine’s overall rank for Best and Worst States for Teachers according to a national survey by WalletHub. The survey data included average salary, student-to-teacher ratio, commute to work, public school spending, and safety.

Source: WalletHub

1 in 5

Amount of new public school teachers who leave their positions before the end of the first year and nearly ½ don’t last more than five, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In the same WalletHub survey, Maine ranked 48th in average teacher salary.

“The Stand Up for Students referendum invests in our children, provides additional funding for our schools and reduces the burden on property taxpayers. It’s a win

win-win.” - Ginny Mott, Lakeville teacher and the president of the Maine PTA wrote in a special to the Bangor Daily News