Our nation’s schools are essential – yet  they are among few institutions that remain fully or partially closed due to the Covid-19 virus. By way of this petition, we respectfully ask that Governor Mills vaccinate our teachers now and develop a new and immediate plan to safely reopen all of Maine’s classrooms to full, in-person learning.
 
Governor Janet Mills and staff have done an extraordinary job stemming the spread of Covid-19 in Maine – we hold the third lowest number of cases nationwide. Our State’s teachers have quietly performed double-duty and have sincerely demonstrated what hard work and dedication looks like. These collective efforts in Maine should be applauded.
 
We ask that the State prioritize our teachers with expediency and we encourage Governor Mills to overcome the obstacles that prevent our children from returning to full, in-person learning. Keeping our schools closed is a disservice to Maine’s children, teachers, parents and economy.  

–Absenteeism has doubled in Maine
–Maine school districts are reporting double-digit drops in academic performance  
–Maine’s CDC Director says there has been “little transmission” in Maine’s schools
–Maine’s economy has lost 48,900 jobs – 56% were held by mothers who’ve dropped from the workforce to care for children
 
Sign this petition to get Maine students back to school.