For whom will you cast your vote in the upcoming gubernatorial election? (Augusta: home, neighborhood)

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by mensaguy

Has anybody found any cold hard facts to support LePage's claim that he reduced taxes without reducing services when he was mayor of Waterville?

I saw one write-up where school teacher was whining because her school was not allowed to buy new textbooks.

I thought it was interesting since when our youngest was in high school, they had stopped buying textbooks entirely, as textbooks are seen as an outdated mode of instruction. Everything is done via computer now.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I saw one write-up where school teacher was whining because her school was not allowed to buy new textbooks.

I thought it was interesting since when our youngest was in high school, they had stopped buying textbooks entirely, as textbooks are seen as an outdated mode of instruction. Everything is done via computer now.

Um, no. Schools here still buy textbooks. Yes, they use computers as well, but they most definitely buy textbooks, and it is most definitely expensive to do so. Years ago, many states felt the need to pass laws prohibiting textbook companies from changing their books every year so that the schools had to purchase new books every year. Now it's every 5 years. Imagine that. Chew on this for a minute - they had to pass a law. No, I can't put my hand on a link at this moment, but I have in the past.

The middle school kids have laptops, but K - 5 do not.

Libby said she still believes that the schools should be funded at the 55% level, but then again, I've heard this since when????

It's hard to do with no money, and that's why consolidation came into play. They could no longer hide the fact that the state was going broke and couldn't put its money where its mouth is.

Yet another reason it needs to be tipped on its ear - there's a whole lot of BS going on.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by reloop

Um, no. Schools here still buy textbooks.

Your SAD may be different from Old Towns. My wife and I both went to the annual open house events as well as attending Parent-Teacher meetings each semester.

So Um, Yes.

They did have examples of old textbooks in a cabinet we were shown, though it was shown to us as an example of an item they were required to have in the classroom, but staying on the shelf and no longer given to students.

Our son was never issued any textbooks, not to read, nor to bring home for homework.

Textbooks today do not leave the class room, I can see where they might once or twice a year leave their shelf; but we were told repeatedly that they are not used in any active role with the students. They stay on the shelf, ideally behind cabinet doors, so at least the doors can be used to hang posters.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Your SAD may be different from Old Towns. My wife and I both went to the annual open house events as well as attending Parent-Teacher meetings each semester.

So Um, Yes.

They did have examples of old textbooks in a cabinet we were shown, though it was shown to us as an example of an item they were required to have in the classroom, but staying on the shelf and no longer given to students.

Our son was never issued any textbooks, not to read, nor to bring home for homework.

Textbooks today do not leave the class room, I can see where they might once or twice a year leave their shelf; but we were told repeatedly that they are not used in any active role with the students. They stay on the shelf, ideally behind cabinet doors, so at least the doors can be used to hang posters.

K - 8 or High School? There is a difference. K - 8 still get textbooks in many classes (including - as of last year anyway - Old Town) and this is important to note because, as you say, every district is different.

Curriculum and pedagogy seems to change whenever the wind blows, so maybe when your son was in there, they were testing out the use of the internet and/or copying from one book to send home papers exclusively.

It would not surprise me in the slightest. Next year may be different depending on funding. Grants also pay for books and programs.

When we discuss the cost to educate children, we need to make a note of these facts. To do otherwise, would be misinforming the taxpayers, and those taxpayers who don't have kids in school get very angry and question every little expenditure (some admittedly justifiably - others are based on plain ignorance at what drives the cost).


As of the year before last, many schools have been so desperate to save money, that they started copying workbooks and are finally using more free internet sources. That was a good thing IMO - it saves money for the taxpayers.

As far as I'm concerned, a lot of savings can be realized, but in some cases, schools hands are tied when it comes to what they are mandated to teach. Those so-called "unfunded mandates" are indeed funded by town property taxes - not the state and/or feds who mandate them.

I recall a meeting the year before last where a taxpaying citizen stood up and yelled for 20 minutes about how much it costs to send one child to school in our district (he had a stack of notes a half inch thick) and then he went on to rant about how All Saints can do it on so much less and we can't, etc.

When he was finally done blowing steam, he was informed that All Saints was a private school and could do whatever they wanted - period.

They didn't have to worry about funding - the state had nothing to do with it.

"Ohhhh...I didn't realize that."

It is what it is, and so - pardon the previous off-topic moment, but whomever is running for governer needs to address those types of topics for me.

Saying "We intend to cut wasteful spending in our schools." simply doesn't cut the mustard for me (or the teacher who was whining about textbook cuts that Paul Lepage supported).

[Maine Writer]

I wish Mitchell felt like she can stand on her own two feet and knock off the nasty attack ads. It speaks loudly of her character.

I'd like a do-over. I can't in good conscious vote for Mitchell or LePage and none of the others stand a chance.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

I wish Mitchell felt like she can stand on her own two feet and knock off the nasty attack ads. It speaks loudly of her character.

I'd like a do-over. I can't in good conscious vote for Mitchell or LePage and none of the others stand a chance.

I may write in Tim Sample

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

I wish Mitchell felt like she can stand on her own two feet and knock off the nasty attack ads. It speaks loudly of her character.

I'd like a do-over. I can't in good conscious vote for Mitchell or LePage and none of the others stand a chance.

Once again, it comes to a choice of the "lesser of the evils". Perhaps not 'ideal', LePage is closer to what we need. I've come to believe that gov't should be run like a business, and in a 'no nonsense' fashion.

[IrishMom76]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

I wish Mitchell felt like she can stand on her own two feet and knock off the nasty attack ads. It speaks loudly of her character.

I'd like a do-over. I can't in good conscious vote for Mitchell or LePage and none of the others stand a chance.

can we just do over the whole thing??? get ride of everyone and start over. If they are like and good then they will get re-elected

[Submariner]

Just saw an ad for Ron White


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YupHF9m7gkw

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Once again, it comes to a choice of the "lesser of the evils".

Lesser evil is still evil.

Originally Posted by Zymer

I've come to believe that gov't should be run like a business

How do you mean?

The aim of business is to make a profit. That certainly should NOT be the aim of government.

Originally Posted by Zymer

and in a 'no nonsense' fashion.

Judging from the current state of the economy, I'd love it if business would be run in a "no nonsense" fashion. It would be a refreshing change.