Testimony by Suzanne Malis-Andersen

Brewer Middle School


	After 14 years of award-winning teaching (runner up Teacher of the Year 1997 
and environmental awards), I am now faced with a heart-wrenching decision. I must quit 
the job I love or give up my civil liberties. Protecting and defending my individual rights 
as defined in the fourth amendment is the most powerful legacy that I can leave for my 
students.


 My strong sense of liberty comes from my father who emigrated from Poland 
with his family in 1920. He was determined that his children would never take for 
granted our constitutional rights. I can vividly remember him reading those first three 
words "We the People" and explaining that our government is made for us, by us, and 
answerable to us. He instructed us to defend these principles by standing firm for them.

	
With this in mind, it is important to note that the Learning Results deal directly 
with these issues. On page 84 it is stated that students will be able to "Examine civil 
rights, liberties and responsibilities established in the United States Constitution
 and Bill 
of Rights." They will also "Take and defend positions on current issues involving the 
constitutional practice of individual rights." As teachers embracing this directive will we 
be forced to violate one of its central tenets? What kind of role model is this for students?


	The Maine law requiring educational personnel to be fingerprinted and their 
backgrounds checked has noble intentions. Realistically, the price in personal freedom is 
too high.


	The money used to fund this law could be better spent on programs to educate 
staff and students. Two million dollars should be invested in improving programs rather 
than trampling on the individual rights of over 28,000 people. Let’s enter this millennium 
preserving everyone’s integrity and freedom. We can protect our children without 
sacrificing the bulwark of our country. In closing a few words by Benjamin Franklin:
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve 
neither liberty nor safety."