Governor Challenges Union to Put Students and Teachers First

Governor Challenges Union to Put Students and Teachers First


Every Maine student deserves an effective teacher



Augusta, Maine - The LePage Administration’s effort to increase support and development training to Maine teachers was affirmed by Governor Paul LePage Friday when he issued a challenge to the Maine Education Association (MEA). The Governor has consistently said that in order to improve education, we must first ensure that every student has an effective teacher.

In a letter to MEA President, Chris Galgay, Governor LePage reiterated his challenge to the MEA to partner with the State to improve professional development opportunities. “Specifically, I pledge to budget state funds to match – dollar for dollar – any increase in professional development funds offered to teachers by the MEA,” wrote Governor LePage.

Last year, Governor LePage offered this same challenge to the union, which has yet to offer a response. “The union is failing its members if it’s not offering opportunities for them to improve their craft,” Governor LePage said Friday. “We must always put our students first and the union has clearly failed miserably to acknowledge this.”

Research shows that investments in effective teaching are a critical component of educational success among students. According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, research indicates that the single most influential school-based factor affecting student achievement is teacher quality. Therefore, the most important thing that schools and policymakers can do to improve student outcomes is to ensure that every student has a highly accomplished teacher.

On Thursday, the Maine Education Association announced its endorsement of the same-sex marriage proposal on the November ballot. The union represents more than 24,000 active and retired members. This announcement is an example of what the union is choosing to focus on rather than expanding and enhancing opportunities for teacher development. The Governor says this endorsement is the perfect example of the “political game this union plays.”

“In Maine, we are blessed with many great teachers. Too often, however, union bosses worry about a wide variety of efforts – political campaigns, lobbying, protecting bad teachers, insurances sales, and providing golf and skiing discounts – which are not related to furthering the education of our children,” Governor LePage continued in the letter, “I believe that by re-focusing your union’s energy on professional development, students will dramatically benefit.”