Most Maine families are confronted with significant problems as their children approach graduation from high school and prepare to consider entering college.

The median family income in Maine in 2007 was $51,554 but this has declined to the latest number of $46,974 in 2013, a decline of 8.8 percent. Now, consider the costs of tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies for Maine universities and colleges. The cost of the better known schools are as follows for 2015/2016:

• University of Maine in Orono — instate tuition/fees is $10,610 but you must add the additional cost for room, board, books and supplies for an average total of $23,186.

• Husson College — tuition/fees of $16,117 and again an additional total for an actual amount of $28,315.

• Thomas College — tuition/fees of $24,300 plus the total for living expenses, books, supplies for a total of $34,379.

• Colby College — tuition/fees of $47,350 plus the total for living expenses, books, and supplies for a total of $61,698.

• Bowdoin College —tuition/fees of $47,744 and a total of $63,360.

• Bates College — tuition/fees of $47.030 and a total of $63,720.

With these figures in mind it is certainly understandable that the average family is overwhelmed. An option that is an alterative to the universities are the community colleges. There are seven in the state and tuition/fees average $3,644 with living expenses at $8,420.where dormitory space is available. Since dorm space is limited therecanbeclosetoa2hour drive to reach them for many students and that can be a problem during winter months.

Liberal arts courses are the primary offering, however, there are some courses offered for vocational/ technical as well. These community colleges are a reasonable alternative to the more expensive, but course offerings are more limited. There are various forms of student aid available at each of the institutions, but the average family cannot afford to carry this amount of additional expense. The combination of student loans, parent borrowing, funds deducted from retirement savings and credit card debt is the course that most attempt to follow. Many students also work at a part time job or jobs, but regardless of the efforts extended, it is a serious financial mountain to climb. It is fact that 68 percent of graduating students in Maine that utilize student loans have student loan debt of $29,934.

If jobs were plentiful and reasonably well paying, this may be overcome in a decent time frame. However, this debt load in far too many cases causes delays in marriages, the purchase of new homes and many other family considerations. In addition according to Forbes Magazine over 50 percent of recent college graduates are either unemployed or under employed and this further complicates family planning.

It is my belief that many young persons in high school should be planning to pursue vocational and technical training rather than considering going to college.

Today, there are 27 schools of this type that are part of the high school educational program in Maine, but many are far too underutilized. These schools offer programs in machine shop, residential construction, welding and fabrication, health occupations, auto repair, design/tech and culinary arts as well as many other trades. For instance a person that is proficient in machine tools has a good opportunity to make $50,000 a year within a reasonably short time from graduation. An auto mechanic at a large size dealership within several years after graduation also has that same opportunity. A graduate in welding can start at Fisher in Rockland for $13 per hour or if they are particularly good and are hired at BIW in Bath the going rate is $25 per hour. The rate for a journeyman carpenter in Maine is $34,000 and can increase to the mid 50s as the level of competency increases. Nursing careers offer salaries in the high 40s to the $50,000.range All of these trades are necessary in our economy. By following this particular path our young people will stay in Maine and become productive citizens and will not appear on the welfare rolls of the state.

The legislature and the Governor should work together to embrace the existing facilities as a priority. An area that deserves strong consideration is a funding system like one utilized in New Hampshire, which provides separate funding for the building construction of either upgrades or new facilities. In both Sanford and Bath, new facilities have been constructed. However, in locations, such as Rockland, the old 57,000 square foot building is decrypted and needs to be replaced. Attention needs to be exerted statewide to maintain and update all of the existing facilities to provide the best environment for the training of our youth. Another factor that I believe to be very important is that the State Board of Education should consider establishing separate school boards for the tech schools that are comprised of business men and women that can pinpoint the needs and opportunities in their communities that others may not consider to be of importance or simply overlook due to their lack of business expertise. I encourage the public to strongly consider and advocate for the values of the much needed trades and how best to establish the facilities and programs that will lead to the success and the positive enhancement of the self confidence of the students that will participate.

———

Another View, a Maine Press Association award-winning column, is written on a rotating basis by a member of a group of Midcoast citizens that meet to discuss issues they think are of public interest.