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Students run gubernatorial forum in Bangor

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

BANGOR — High school dropouts and curriculum standards were among the topics Wednesday night at a gubernatorial debate run largely by high school students.
The Maine Coalition on Excellence in Education and its sister organization, Prepare Maine, asked all five candidates on Tuesday’s ballot to focus on education.
They did.
In one of the more unusual formats of the campaign season, high school students asked the questions, each taking a turn at the microphone to inquire about the cost and quality of education. With students on the stage, the candidates did not engage each other about their differences.
Instead, they adopted softer tones, addressing the students directly as they answered various questions.
The candidates — independent Eliot Cutler, Republican Paul LePage, Democrat Libby Mitchell, independent Shawn Moody and independent Kevin Scott — offered different ideas about how to keep teens from dropping out of school.
“We need to find those kids and we need to find what motivates them,” LePage said, adding that he thinks the state needs to devote resources to reduce the dropout rate.
Mitchell said she wants Jobs for Maine Graduates, which is already in some high schools and targets at-risk students, to be offered everywhere in Maine. She said schools also need to keep up with the changing times.
“Technology is so much a part of a student’s life,” she said.
Cutler said not only do too many students drop out, but some of those who graduate aren’t ready for college. Local schools must be maintained so communities can provide education even to those who don’t finish in four years, he said.
“Twenty-two percent of kids who graduate and start out at the University of Maine need remedial courses,” he said.
Moody said schools need to do “exit interviews” with dropouts to find out what’s keeping them from school. Also, schools need to be proactive to help at-risk students, he said.
“Identify kids at risk early on,” he said.
Scott said core standards are important and that he would want to make sure the standards are relevant to the changing economy.
“Maine is a nimble state, a capable state,” he said.
Across the state, students gathered for 20 watch parties for the debate. With the election six days away, some people are still trying to decide who they will support.
A crowd of about 175 attended the debate in person, which was held in Peakes Auditorium at Bangor High School. The candidates also got to choose someone to introduce them, which set the tone for a cordial evening.
Cutler chose a college Republican who is supporting his campaign, while LePage and Moody had their daughters say a few words. Mitchell and Scott chose younger children to talk about why they support their candidacies.
The candidates will meet again tonight for a live broadcast debate.
 
Susan Cover — 620-7015
scover@mainetoday.com