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Mitchell announces her education platform

Plan includes expanded pre-kindergarten programs, grants for seniors

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
State House Bureau

SOUTH PORTLAND -- Libby Mitchell, the Democratic candidate for Maine governor, said Thurdsay that the state must expand pre-kindergarten to every school and give grants to high school seniors to attend college.

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Libby Mitchell

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While standing in a classroom at Southern Maine Community College, Mitchell, one of five people running for governor, outlined her vision for education in Maine. A former teacher who's earned the endorsement of the Maine Education Association, Mitchell said she also wants to expand the Jobs for Maine's Graduates program -- which targets students at risk of dropping out of high school -- and establish benchmarks for students to achieve.

To pay for the programs, she is proposing to have the state renegotiate its contract for liquor distribution, which she said would generate an "adequate number of millions" of dollars to pay for the new or expanded programs. She said she did not want to throw out specific numbers before any negotiations begin.

"It's a very valuable asset that we have to negotiate responsibly," she said. "There was discussion about doing this in the past. Everyone was so afraid that it would simply be used to close a gaping budget hole. I don't want it to fall in a gaping budget hole."

In 2004, the state leased liquor distribution to a new company, Maine Beverage Co., for an $125 million upfront payment and a share of annual revenues for 10 years. The contract expires in 2014.

Some of Mitchell's opponents criticized her proposals.

"No one in the state of Maine has done more to block the reform of public education than Libby Mitchell," said independent Eliot Cutler. "Selling the liquor business, like a form of stimulus, is just kicking the can down the road again."

Cutler, who unveiled his education proposal last week, has proposed charter schools, merit pay for teachers, a longer school year and merging the community college and university systems.

Brent Littlefield, spokesman for Republican candidate Paul LePage, said Mitchell had a chance to improve education while in the Legislature.

"Libby Mitchell has had decades in Augusta to implement her plans and a one page sheet with new proposals does not replace decades of misplaced spending priorities," he said.

Littlefield said LePage -- who has said he supports charter schools and vouchers -- will soon roll out his comprehensive plan for the state.

Independent Shawn Moody complimented Mitchell, calling her ideas "good, solid, sound suggestions."

A call to independent Kevin Scott of Andover was not returned.

The press conference within view of the Spring Point Lighthouse drew several Mitchell supporters who filled a small room where she stood in front of a chalkboard to unveil her ideas. While answering questions from the media, Mitchell was asked about a poll released Wednesday that showed LePage leading 43-29 percent.

"I think people in Maine and all over the country are angry and they're frustrated and I understand that," she said. "Maine did not cause the national recession. Maine is well positioned to come out of it if we stop dividing one another and if we start pulling together. I'm a uniter, not a divider."

She said while polls are interesting to the "press and insiders," many Maine voters haven't yet decided who they will support on Nov. 2.

"Maine people do have lives to live in the summer," she said. "I think they are just going to start understanding the differences. I believe when they go to the polls they will find that I speak for more Maine people."

Former Democratic rival Steve Rowe, who finished second to Mitchell in the June Democratic primary, served as a co-chair of a subcommittee that helped shape her education proposals.

"Libby's plan involves a comprehensive strategy," Rowe said. "It addresses the challenges throughout the system, not just in one place or in one particular level. Importantly, it doesn't rob Peter to pay Paul."

Mitchell said expanding pre-kindergarten services to children will help catch problems earlier and save money down the road. Mitchell said 99 of 218 school districts offer early childhood services, but she wants it in all districts.

"Too many children in our state require special education, remedial services," she said. "That's 15 percent of the spending on our schools."

She said 20 percent of students do not graduate from high school on time, a number she believes can be lowered by expanding the Jobs for Maine's Graduates program, which is supported by donations from a long list of Maine businesses.

And she said it's "alarming" that the proportion of people aged 25-64 with an associates degree or more is lower than "any preceding generation."

"That's not going to work," she said. "You've seen the charts. Your income and level of education has a frightening parallel."

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@mainetoday.com