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Former teacher tells school committee district priorities favor cost-cutting over instruction; raises safety and workload concerns
Summary
Former McMahon teacher Luke Jensen told the committee Lewiston Public Schools prioritize avoiding lawsuits and saving money over academics, and he outlined classroom safety incidents and excessive noninstructional staff requirements.
LEWISTON, Maine — During the public comment period Monday, former McMahon fourth-grade teacher Luke Jensen told the Lewiston School Committee the district’s priorities are misaligned and raised safety, workload and assessment concerns.
Jensen said the district “prioritizes saving money and not getting sued. It does not prioritize academic learning.” He described several classroom incidents and injuries that he said had gone largely unaddressed, including an episode he recounted in which an education technician was struck by a student and later a staff member received a facial laceration from an object thrown by a student.
“I always worried about my students when they weren't with me, and I also worried greatly for my coworkers,” Jensen said. He told the committee staff workload was “completely unmanageable” and criticized routine district testing and paperwork requirements that he said take time away from instruction.
Jensen urged the district to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic tasks, including monthly running records and other assessments that he said devour teacher planning time. He recommended the district consider targeted assessments teachers use in classrooms, such as Fountas & Pinnell running records, and questioned reliance on high-stakes standardized tests.
Several members discussed measures to support students with trauma, the district’s RISE and other special programs, and the limits state law places on disciplinary responses. Superintendent Langley and other members described ongoing program consolidation for resource reasons but emphasized the district’s intent to provide supports for students who require out-placement.
Why it matters: Public comment highlighted staff safety, teacher workload and assessment methods — issues that intersect with district staffing, program design and assessment choices.
What’s next: The committee heard the comments during public input; the superintendent and staff are responsible for follow-up and for updating the committee about program and safety planning.
