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Calvin Soule is an educator and Portland Education Association union representative.
In the age of Trump administration reductions in public school funding, I’m sure former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will fight for the resources students and educators need.
For decades Troy has advocated for school children all across the state. Jackson sponsored the bill that guaranteed free meals at school for kids, knowing that whether it be Washington County or downtown Portland, no kid can learn when hungry. On the Maine Education Association legislative card, Jackson has consistently scored well owing to his unwavering commitment to students and educators: funding teachers’ healthcare in retirement, opposing guns in schools, and ensuring all educators are compensated fairly. When I was in high school, Jackson also supported meaningful legislation to implement suicide awareness programs in schools.
Last year, when visiting the State House as an educator, Jackson spent time with all 70 of my students, speaking about the importance of public education, about civic duty, and about working with all Mainers. His time in the Senate and commitment to students make him a champion for Maine students.
Shenna Bellows served on the Maine Senate with Jackson, and has also gone above and beyond to support children across the state. Her time in the Senate also earned her high score cards from the MEA.
In her “New Deal For Maine” plan, Bellows proposes a new school funding plan that helps educators and students get the resources they need. Bellows also has plans to ensure teachers get compensated for the mentee teachers they host, will protect teacher retirement, and most importantly will support students with: expanded pre-k; guaranteed school-based health centers and mental health counselors; implementation of arts and STEM learning; access to trades; and the implementation of statewide Wabanaki curriculum, a law which has long been passed but has seen little governor-initiated action.
These policies make it clear to me that Shenna Bellows is ready to work for and with Maine educators and that she has been, and will continue to be a staunch advocate for Maine students.
Other leading candidates, like Nirav Shah, may present as education-positive. But the money doesn’t lie: Shah’s campaign is partially funded by Education Reform Now, a program which consistently advocates for school choice, and which often undermines teachers’ unions and public education. Educators and education supporters can not trust a candidate who attracts such funding.
Jackson and Bellows have always opposed charter schools and increasing voucher systems, because they know them for what they are: attempts to defund public education.
Support public education. Support Troy Jackson and Shenna Bellows in the Democratic primary on June 9.
