Cutler Urges Baldacci to Reconsider Charter Schools
Education Commissioner Susan Gendron revealed at the recent Education Committee meeting that Maine wont be seeing charter schools any time soon. “Charter schools are probably lowest on the list of what I think we have to solve,” Gendron told the Ed Committee. Legislators would have had to submit a bill for charter schools already for them to be considered during the next session. Intervention from Governor Baldacci was the last hope for charter schools in Maine at this time. With Baldacci forgetting Maine’s motto, charter school proponents will be looking to the current crop of gubernatorial candidates for support.
Nearly all of the candidates we asked have supported allowing charter schools in Maine. Independent Eliot Cutler has been one of the most vocal supporters so far. Matthew Gagnon of Pine Tree Politics has stated that this is likely a clear sign that Cutler is working to define himself as a balanced pragmatist. “He will have a good base in the consciousness of the voter that can supplement his left leaning history and reputation with a much more balanced “the best of both worlds” image,” said Gagnon. This move puts Cutler in direct conflict with the Maine Education Association’s position on charter schools, usually an ally of liberal candidates.
Cutler has reaffirmed his support for charter schools and his disappointment in the Baldacci administration for not supporting charter legislation. Cutler wrote to Governor Baldacci after news broke Tuesday no charter legislation would be put forward next session. In the letter, Cutler urged Baldacci to reconsider his decision to kill charter legislation. Cutler is concerned, as others have been, that Maine will miss out on federal Race to the Top funding, which we desperately need, if charter legislation is not enacted. “These Augusta decisions are just plain wrongheaded,” Cutler said. “We are losing out on millions of dollars, denying our children important educational opportunities, and cheating the future of our state. Sadly, Maine children are paying the price because the same special interests and tired partisan politics keep getting in the way.” Cutler went on to say that if the governor did not enact charter school legislation, he would as governor in 2011. Cutler also emailed Senator Bill Diamond (D-Windham) and Representative Emily Cain (D-Orono), the chairs of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, urging them to bring charter legislation before the Maine Senate.
