Mike Freeman Rebuttal
1
Question 1: Many alternatives to the existing education
system have been proposed; including charter schools, vouchers and private
sector involvement. Do you favor any of these approaches, or do you
have specific proposals to strengthen the current system?
I am a lifelong product of public schools; from Seward Elementary
School in Minneapolis to the U of M Law School. My wife, Terry
Mathison Freeman, is a member of the Richfield school board. We send
our three children to Richfield public schools. I am strongly
committed to Minnesota's public education system.
Let me summarize my education proposal:
fourteen full years of tuition-free public education,
class sizes of 20 or fewer students starting with grades K-3,
increased commitment to technology,
safe schools and better accountability, and
$250 million of property tax relief by increasing the state's share
of education funding to 70%.
As I read through the responses of the other gubernatorial candidates,
I was struck by the lack of specificity in their proposals. I also
asked myself, how much are their proposals going to cost?
My plan for the 21st Century Schoolhouse is the only education plan
that addresses both education for our children and lifelong learning
opportunities for adults; addresses up front the cost of the plan;
does not hide behind hyperbole or rhetoric; and will solidly position
our state for the challenges of the global economy in the 21st Century
and beyond.
It is fascinating that the Republican gubernatorial candidates are
steering clear of Arne Carlson's voucher plan. They know that vouchers
will damage public education and not provide the answers to our
state's educational needs. They also know that vouchers are not
popular with the public. But why weren't these politicians more
critical of vouchers before they ran for governor?
I believe my proposal is the most specific, financially prudent,
investment-oriented plan that has been presented in this year's
gubernatorial race. Please send me your views or suggestions. I look
forward to our ongoing discussions of these issues.
E-Mail: mike.freeman@freeman98.org
