MAINE EDUCATORS AGAINST FINGERPRINTING (MEAF) POLL DATA

as of February 20, 2000 and on-going

MEAF has received poll data from schools in 16 different systems across Maine so far. On the academic side, 993 teachers, administrators, guidance personnel, and others have responded. Among support staff, 179 have returned polls. Respondents were asked to register their positions regarding the law, assuming that the State was paying all related costs. Here is the breakdown:

AMONG ACADEMIC PERSONNEL:

• 76.7% are not comfortable with the fingerprinting/police check law;
• 19.7% are comfortable with it;
• 3.6% are unsure.

Of those uncomfortable with the law:

• 24.9% still support it as necessary;
• 66.5% do not support it but feel they have to comply (most say they can't afford to lose their jobs, some fear being left standing alone if they refuse to comply, and some give both reasons);
• 8.5% (or 6.5% of all respondents) find the law unacceptable and will refuse to comply.

• 56.4% are not comfortable with the fingerprinting/police check law;
• 42.5% are comfortable with it;
• 1.1% are unsure.

Of those uncomfortable with the law:

• 37.6% still support it as necessary;
• 59.4% do not support it but feel they have to comply (as on the academic side most say they can't afford to lose their jobs, some fear being left standing alone if they refuse to comply, and some give both reasons);
• 3.0% (or 1.6% of all respondents) find the law unacceptable and will refuse to comply.

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