Response of Representative Charles D. Fisher

I share your views. My contribution has been individual contact with committee members and two letters expressing my views to the committee. If there is a problem, the cure is not fingerprinting teachers and staff; it is to be observant and not let questionable behavior pass without comment. The schools are in fact the last safe haven for many kids. They trust their teachers and in many cases the teachers are the ones who catch abuse that happens elsewhere. I wonder if kids seeing staff being fingerprinted will place a shadow of doubt in their minds.

I also find it interesting that the Commissioner isn't interested in adequately funding education but is willing to support throwing many dollars into this new program. Also interesting that Maine School Management which is demanding more money is willing to see precious dollars be spent for this.

Three concerns I have:
1. the public did not appear and has not come to our support with letters. This sends a bad signal to the committee.
2. some of the testimony was excessive and to some extent rude. Similar behavior in the classroom would not have been tolerated. The committee did listen politely to several hours of testimony and was much more tolerant than the two committees I serve on would have been. That committee is made up of some of the most dedicated and classy members of the legislature. While I don't agree with them, I still look at them with respect and feel that they should have been treated that way.
3. the civil rights issue should be dropped. The courts have already stated that fingerprinting is not illegal.

Let me close that I will support getting rid of the fingerprinting. I will also support, reluctantly, applying it only to those getting Maine credentials for the first time. I say reluctantly because I do not like the idea of two classes of educators.

With Respect:
Charles D. Fisher
State Representative
Brewer Dist.115