[Local-Maine-Schools] SWH meeting, and alking points on the web

[Dick Atlee]

The SWH informational meeting at Pemetic school tonight was good.  I'd 
guess about 90-100 people (maybe more) turned out.  Rob Liebow did a 
good slide show on what seems likely to be in the eventual 
Appropriations bill, Pemetic Principal Dianne Helprin did a slide show 
on the EPS effects on the town's school -- which was admirably shocking 
-- and Union 98 board chair Amy Young did a knock-your-socks off summary 
of just how bad things could get.  Rob said he'd get his presentation up 
on the Web, and I hope we can get Dianne's as well.

Very importantly, after all our talk of the importance of contacting 
representatives, someone asked if there were talking points "a click 
away" on the website for the purpose.

I think that's an excellent idea.  I gather there is a petition in the 
process of preparation, but I'm pretty sure petitions aren't nearly as 
powerful as direct contact, and people need a handle in order to get 
over initial reticence about direct contact on this kind of complicated 
issue.

Rob Liebow mentioned two important talking points:

   1. The need for a public hearing on this bill before it is voted on.
   2. The need for more time to consider the consequences, and,
      one would hope, time to come up with a process more likely to
      achieve the desired results.

As far as I can see, this also involves

   3. Killing the bill being proposed by Appropriations (YES, I KNOW
      we don't know what it is, but by examining its recent trajectory
      I think we have a pretty good idea of what it will be).

and, if extra time is just too much to expect of our otherwise rational 
representatives:

   4. (Elective)  Support for something like the bill the Education
      Committee was talking about (even if it was mostly the title
      they were considering) -- LD 464

I'd appreciate hearing some discussion about what good talking points 
would be, and to make sure we get them up on the site 
top-front-and-center (that proverbial 1-click away) soon.

Dick