Having dedicated 25 years to the field of education, including 21 years as a classroom teacher at Wells Elementary School, I am deeply rooted in the power of learning. This commitment stems from a personal understanding of the transformative role education plays in shaping young minds. As a former educator, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the journey of learning firsthand.
Henry Ingwersen
Recently, I had the joy of accompanying my grandkids to their back-to-school open houses at two separate schools in our district. Both of the teachers, one kindergarten and one Pre-K, were welcoming and excited to start the new school year. Their classrooms were spacious and full of learning resources, and I left knowing my grandkids were in professional, caring hands. This experience reignited my belief in the invaluable gift that Maine’s public education system truly is. It’s a gift that we, as a community, are fortunate to have and that I am resolute in advocating for within the halls of Augusta.
This past session, our dedication to education was evident in many legislative accomplishments. We continued our promise of providing 55 percent of funding for K-12 public schools, ensuring that every student has access to a quality education. By investing in our schools, we are providing students with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Understanding that learning should never be hindered by an empty stomach, we’ve maintained the provision of free school meals for every student in Maine. This commitment is an investment in our children’s futures, ensuring they can focus on their studies without the worry of hunger.
Furthermore, we’ve extended the opportunity for free community college education by an additional two years, making higher education more accessible and creating a pathway to a skilled workforce. This step is vital in preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
One issue that I’m particularly focused on is ensuring our schools stay up-to-date and safe for our students. Many of Maine’s schools are old and in dire need of renovation. Of the more than 600 Maine public school buildings, over half were built during or before the 1960s. The pandemic has further exposed the inadequacies and deficiencies in our school infrastructure, especially when it comes to ensuring basic health and safety for students and staff. Many schools lack proper ventilation systems, adequate lighting, and secure entrances – among other issues.
This is where the School Revolving Renovation Fund comes in. It has already proven to be a vital resource for schools across the state, helping to fund critical infrastructure improvements and upgrades. However, the demand for these funds far outstrips what is available. That’s why I’m proud of the passage of my bill LD 1472, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Education and the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to Amend Their Rules Regarding the Maine School Facilities Finance Program and the School Revolving Renovation Fund.”
This new law directs the Department of Education and the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to revise their rules governing the Maine School Facilities Finance Program and the School Revolving Renovation Fund to increase the maximum total loans available from the fund for repair, renovation, and improvement projects across various priority levels within school buildings. But giving out bigger loans only makes sense if we maintain the revolving renovation fund.
That’s why, when I look ahead to the next legislative session, one of my primary objectives is to champion LD 1185, “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Recapitalize the School Revolving Renovation Fund.” This forward-thinking bill is essential for sustaining the momentum we’ve established. By recapitalizing the School Revolving Renovation Fund, we can ensure a steady and robust source of funding for critical school infrastructure projects.
While I am proud of all we achieved, I know there’s still more to be done. Beyond bolstering the School Revolving Renovation Fund, I am also committed to increasing teacher and ed tech salaries, advancing career and technical education training opportunities, and much more. Our students and teachers deserve nothing less.
If you have any questions about the information here or if you would like to reach out with a comment, question, or concern, you can always reach out to me any time by emailing me or calling my office. If you want to stay up to date on what we’re working on in Augusta, please sign up for my email newsletter at mainesenate.org.
Henry Ingwersen represents Senate District 32 which is made up of Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman. He can be reached at Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov or 207-287-1515.
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