January 16

LePage's facts about education questionable

Letter to the Editor

Gov. Paul LePage recently said, "Our school systems are failing."

His answer is to support private schools with funding meant for state-operated schools. He indicated that we spend $15,000 per child, the current average in the Northeast. Other data show the cost to be between $11,000 and $12,000 per year. The U.S. Census Bureau shows the cost less than $11,000, with indications of varying data tracking cost per student.

The governor said he may not provide additional funding to school systems because of the economy.

This makes me, as a taxpayer, think that LePage does not base his decisions on fact but on play-the-game-my-way-or-hit-the-highway rules.

That attitude reminds me of preschool children, but we know they will grow out of it. LePage's facts about education are questionable. He also questions a committee he appointed four members to.

The only thing I regret is that Maine doesn't have a law that says that if a candidate for governor doesn't win by a majority vote there would be a runoff election between the two candidates who get the most votes. If we had that, we would be dealing with a different governor.

Jerry Day

Augusta

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