Why School Choice Makes Sense—And Builds Better Schools

Robert Wessels supports School Choice to give Maine parents real options.

Real Accountability, Real Results, and Real Options for Maine Families

Let me start with a quick personal story. Not long ago, I drove my camper very slowly under an overhang I thought might be too low. Spoiler alert: it was. The good news? The damage was minor. The better news? I learned something.

Natural consequences have a funny way of keeping us accountable. And that same principle is exactly what has drawn me toward School Choice as a key piece of my education reform platform.

What Is School Choice—Really?

At its core, School Choice is about giving parents more choices on where to send their child. If a school is doing an incredible job—helping kids learn, grow, and succeed—then families should have the freedom to choose that school without unnecessary barriers or limitations.

And if a school isn't performing well? Families can choose other options—and that school will have a natural incentive to improve.

That’s real-world accountability.

We don’t need more bureaucracy. We need results. And School Choice introduces a system that rewards success and motivates improvement—without mandates and micromanagement from Augusta.

Robert Wessels supports School Choice to give Maine parents real options on where to send their children—empowering families while protecting school freedom.

Freedom with Purpose

Just like in the private sector, when you deliver quality, people will come. If schools are giving kids the tools they need to thrive, more families will choose them. If they’re not, those schools will have to take a hard look in the mirror and ask what needs to change.

This isn’t about punishing schools—it’s about giving them a reason to prioritize what matters most: students, results, and future success.

Putting Parents in the Driver’s Seat

Maine families deserve the right to choose what’s best for their children—not just settle for what’s closest or what’s assigned by zip code. School Choice gives power back to parents, not politicians or bureaucrats.

Whether it’s a traditional public school, a charter school, a private school, or another learning model entirely, every family should have the freedom—and the funding—to make that decision.

Let’s Raise the Bar for All Schools

With School Choice, we’re not abandoning public education—we’re challenging it to rise. We’re saying, “We believe in our educators. We believe in our families. And we believe in results.”

And just like that too-low overhang, sometimes it takes a bump to remind us where we’re headed and why we need to be more mindful going forward.

Let’s build a smarter, more accountable, more parent-driven education system together.

– Robert Wessels, Candidate for Governor of Maine