[Local-Maine-Schools] Hazards and benefits of discussing this publicly

[Brian Hubbell]

Thank you to the many of you who have responded to me privately be
email throughout the day.

Several people commented that they were worried that by having this
discussion in full open view to other citizens and legislators across
the state we somehow risk making our concerns seem self-centered or,
perhaps worse, risk weakening our voice through airing any internal
disagreements.

In response, let me say that with my first post this morning I wasn't
trying to work toward reaching a single statement of opinion from all
of you on this list.  I sincerely hope that there are several
different minds on this matter represented here.  It just seems a good
place to find out what those positions might be and how they might
best find voices.

As a matter of political philosophy, I think any open discussion
carries more authority than guarded private emails.  If our
legislators are reading this, I'm guessing that the discussion will
carry even more weight if we can all follow a sincere exploration of
our positions through vital disagreements than it would if it were
just a vehicle for one established party line.

So please, do feel welcome to argue right here in public about our
approach. We'll all be better for the exercise.

But, at the very least, please convey your own sincere beliefs
directly to our legislators.

--Brian