Paul LePage’s so-called plan to inject state government into Maine’s longstanding tradition of local control is being panned by education experts and observers in Maine, with some going so far as to say that LePage does not understand Maine’s public education system:
Sam Pfeifle, Editor for the Portland Phoenix and Chair of the MSAD 51 School Board: “Look, regardless of your political persuasion, it should be important to you that the people asking for your vote have some idea what they're talking about. This ‘ambitious agenda’ shows that LePage fundamentally doesn't know how education works in Maine.” Pfeifle goes on to rebut each of the points in LePage’s plan.
Ben Bragdon, Editorial Page Editor for the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel: “I don't know what LePage thinks they teach in school, but my son's curriculum has been heavy on ‘math, science and reading.’”
Steve Bailey, President of the Maine School Management Association: “My thought is, what's not transparent?...There's a very active process of the attempt to make things known to folks.” Bailey also questioned how LePage would pay for his proposal to expand Maine's voucher program to all students.
They also blasted LePage for using a national GOP playbook to divide parents and teachers:
Grace Leavitt, President of the Maine Education Association: “Unfortunately, rather than working to strengthen our public schools, Paul LePage is trying to drive a wedge between parents and educators. Our goal, as educators, is to make sure we have parents as partners in their child’s education.”
Assistant Senate Majority Leader and former Education Committee Member Mattie Daughtry: “It does feel like a dog whistle, trying to bring national politics here. Mainers have said loud and clear that's not what we are interested in. We are about Maine-based solutions, not something that comes from a national playbook or outside group.