Maine ranks in the bottom 10 states for K–12 education, according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book. Its special education identification rate is 21%, far above the national average of 15%. COVID is cited as a leading factor. While Maine schools were technically “open” in 2020–2021, masking, distancing and other restrictions made normal learning impossible. My youngest sat in the same room all day, learning from teachers online — something that could have been done at home.

Maine, quick to sue the Trump administration (often rightfully), fell silent under Biden and simply followed federal guidance. Meanwhile, the EU reviewed WHO and other scientific data in June of 2020 and reopened schools, recognizing children’s low risk and minimal role in transmission — as did many “red” states.

Critics say the GOP blindly follows Trump, but Democrats have showed no more courage. During COVID, they fell in line. Then, despite clear concerns about Biden’s ability to serve, they rallied behind him in 2024, and then undemocratically anointed his replacement when it fell apart on live television. Before invoking Reagan’s decline (after finishing his second term),, watch his 1990 Larry King interview and compare it to Biden in 2024.

Taxpayers will pay for this failure of leadership for years. We do deserve an apology from Gov. Mills and her party.

Zachary Harding
Wells