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2018 Screening and Endorsement Questionnaire for Candidates for Governor
MEA asked Maine’s candidates for governor a series of questions. Below are their responses, in their own words. Responses have not been altered, even for spelling or grammar. These are the candidates own words. Some answers have been shortened for space constraints, however you can view full responses in our Maine Educator Online. The MEA hopes the following information is helpful as you make your decision in November.
Maine's next governor will make critical decisions impacting our classrooms, our students and our profession, including: • Improving support for public schools and the students we serve • Determining the amount of state aid our schools receive • Appointing a Commissioner of Education to lead our state’s public schools • Signing or vetoing bills that directly impact our public schools
Question 1 - Do you think standardized test scores should be used to evaluate teachers? If so, how much should test scores count when evaluating teacher performance?
No, this method of evaluating teachers is too flawed and relies on too many factors outside of the teacher’s control. Standardized testing should be diagnostic for the student only, and should play no part in teacher evaluations.
Question 2 - If elected, will you advocate for state funding of our public schools at 55%? Specifically, what will you do to help ensure our schools are fully funded?
Janet Mills
Yes, I will - and I believe my experience as a State Legislator and as Attorney General has positioned me well to immediately begin working with members of the State Legislature to move towards the goal of fully meeting the state’s commitment to our schools.
Question 3 - Do you support the right for school employees and other public employees to collectively bargain? Why or why not?
Yes, and I have gone to court to fight for that right. Every employee should have a powerful voice in the workplace, whether it is a school, a factory, a hospital, or any other place of business. I consider this a fundamental right.
Question 4 - Did you vote to support Question 2 on the November 2016 ballot to better fund our public schools by asking the wealthiest 2% to pay a little more in state taxes?
Yes, I supported Question 2.
Question 5 - Would you support or oppose further cuts and restrictions to the public employee retirement system?
I would oppose any further cuts and restrictions to the public employee retirement system because I believe it would be a fundamental breach of the contract between the state and retired teachers and ed techs.
Question 6 - Do you support the school choice program as proposed by Governor LePage? What opportunities for school choice would you support?
No, I do not support Governor LePage’s so-called school choice program.
KEN FREDETTE GARRETT MASON MARY MAYHE W JANET MILLS Question 1 - Do you think standardized test scores should be used to evaluate teachers? If so, how much should test scores count when evaluating teacher performance?
Yes, I think standardized test scores should be used to evaluate teachers. It is one metric that can be used to INSIDE: HOW measure success in the classroom. However, I also think it’s important to consider other metrics such as peer feedback, teaching style in the classroom, and student engagement. THEY ANSWERED Question 2 - If elected, will you advocate for state funding of our public schools at 55%? Specifically, what OUR EDUCATION will you do to help ensure our schools are fully funded? QUESTIONS The issue with schools is not the amount of funding. It is where we spend the money. I care deeply about Shawn Moody SHAWN MOODY education, and as the only person to ever serve on both the University of Maine System Board and the Maine Community College Board, I know that it’s possible to reduce overhead while improving the delivery of services BETSY SWEETDIANE RUSSELL to our students. I will advocate for Maine schools, but will not support additional funding without reform. I don’t believe in double standards, we will lead by example removing duplication in the State’s overhead and infrastructure. We will serve as a role model incentivizing local communities to follow our lead by integrating town and school duplicated functions and facilities to lower costs and take the pressure of local property taxes.
Question 3 - Do you support the right for school employees and other public employees to collectively bargain? Why or why not?
I believe that unions can serve an important role for school employees and other public employees, and they have a right to engage in collective bargaining. However, I also believe that joining a union, or contributing to a union, should not be a condition of employment. People should be free to make the decision about whether to join a union, without being forced to fund collective bargaining operations.
We would favor a statewide contract. I served on the UMS Human Resource and Labor relations committee. When I got on the Board 4 years ago USM was in turmoil. They hadn’t had a contract for years, votes of no confidence in leadership, $16 million dollars in the hole and the students were protesting. Three years later we just put $8 million dollars back into the budget stabilization fund, our contracts have been negotiated and agreed upon in good faith. USM is now growing enrollment and private investment is coming in for a proposed graduate center located in Portland.
Question 4 - Did you vote to support Question 2 on the November 2016 ballot to better fund our public schools by asking the wealthiest 2% to pay a little more in state taxes?
No, I did not vote to support Question 2 on the November 2016 ballot because it would have devastated Maine’s economy. Question 2 did not ask people to pay a “little more” in state taxes, it proposed a 40% increase in the state income tax. The question was worded in a way the was completely misleading and not representative of the true tax increase. I interviewed both Talya Edlund and Tammy Ranger on the radio show “Inside Maine”. I asked them both “did you know the proposed tax increase would impact every successful pass through business in the State of Maine. They both answered no they did not know it impacted businesses. Two of the top educators in the State of Maine and neither one knew.
Maine is one of the highest taxed states in the nation. If we are going to be serious about attracting and retaining businesses and growing our economy, we must be competitive. We cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity. Question 2 would have resulted in losing many people to lower taxed states. These people provide jobs, are involved in their communities, and provide resources to Maine charities.
Question 5 - Would you support or oppose further cuts and restrictions to the public employee retirement system?
The 2011 budget passed sweeping pension reform that reduced the unfunded liability and ensured that the pension system was solvent for retirees. Those changes were necessary for those who paid into the system for years, and relied on it for their retirement. At this point, the system is solvent and in good financial health. I support ensuring that the pension system stays solvent for retirees. The fiducialries that were managing the retirement system at the time grossly mismanaged the fund and projected unrealistic return rates for the pension holdings at that time. This was negligent, and non one was held accountable for it.
Question 6 - Do you support the school choice program as proposed by Governor LePage? What opportunities for school choice would you support?
Yes, I support parents having control over the education of their children and not state government. I support voucher programs, homeschooling opportunities, and charter schools as alternatives to traditional public schooling.
I recently went to bat for a family that had two children in a neighboring school system. Their son was experiencing behavioral problems which the parents felt was induced by the classroom environment and culture at the school. Their daughter also didn’t seem enthused about school. One Superintendent and the accepting school agreed to allow them to transition over, the other Superintendent refused. When I spoke with the opposing Superintendent he basically said “it was about the money”. For someone that started from scratch and built a great family and business based upon taking care of people and the money would take care of itself that was obviously the wrong answer. The parents ran that appeal to the highest authority and I was thrilled that the BOE saw the benefits of allowing the move and I can proudly say it changed that families life in a positive way. How many parents get frustrated and just give up because they don’t have the means or the muster to go up against the administrative apparatus? November 2018 • www.maineea.org 19
Terry Hayes
Question 1 - Do you think standardized test scores should be used to evaluate teachers? If so, how much should test scores count when evaluating teacher performance?
Did not answer.
Question 2 - If elected, will you advocate for state funding of our public schools at 55%? Specifically, what will you do to help ensure our schools are fully funded?
Did not answer.
Question 3 - Do you support the right for school employees and other public employees to collectively bargain? Why or why not?
Did not answer.
Question 4 - Did you vote to support Question 2 on the November 2016 ballot to better fund our public schools by asking the wealthiest 2% to pay a little more in state taxes?
Did not answer.
Question 5 - Would you support or oppose further cuts and restrictions to the public employee retirement system?
Did not answer.
Question 6 - Do you support the school choice program as proposed by Governor LePage? What opportunities for school choice would you support?
Did not answer.
Alan Caron
Question 1 - Do you think standardized test scores should be used to evaluate teachers? If so, how much should test scores count when evaluating teacher performance?
Dropped out of Governor race.
