75 active and retired educators attended the Legislative Forum sponsored by
the SAD5 Education Association and MEA. Educators were from SAD5, SAD28,
SAD40, SAD50 and SAD34. Legislators in attendance were Senator Chellie
Pingree (D-Knox), House Members: Debora McNeil (R-Rockland), Judith Powers
(D-Rockport), Christine Savage (R-Union), and James Skoglund (D-St.
George)
Educators expressed their opposition to fingerprinting and their anger at
the legislature,the DOE, and even their own union. Chellie Pringree said
that she hears comments like why are teachers being babies about this
finger printing thing? She said they, including the governor, who has
vowed to veto any attempt to repeal the legislation, don't get it. This
anger and frustration comes after years of harmful legislation and
disrespect towards educators. Issues such as violations of rights to
presumed innocence and privacy were expressed. There were concerns about
confidentiality. Representative Savage said she supports MEA's position.
Representative Skoglund is opposed to fingerprinting. Representative
McNeil is undecided.
Material selected and edited by Bernie Huebner