Watch the Assembly — Maine Citizens' Assembly 2026

Live on YouTube

Join as an observer

Members of the public, press, and partner organizations are welcome to observe the Assembly's deliberation sessions. Day Two's morning small-group deliberation is held privately; the livestream picks up with the afternoon plenary at 12:45pm.

If the player shows a countdown, the afternoon stream hasn't started yet — it will begin automatically at 12:45pm on June 18.

Updates

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We'll send the livestream schedule once it's set, reminders for when the stream is live, and updates and opportunties for engagement as the project moves forward.

Day One — Learning Events

Wednesday, June 17 · United Technologies Center, Bangor

Day One's plenary sessions were livestreamed. The afternoon breakout tracks and delegate-only events were held privately and do not appear on the recording.

8:00

Welcome

Opening words: Jacqueline Edmondson, President, USM · Introduction to the Legislators Education Strategy Team: Reps. Holly Sargent, Kim Haggan, Sheila Lyman, Dan Sayre · Framing of the Day: Jennifer Chace, CEPARE/MEPRI, USM

Followed by delegate team-building activities.

9:30–9:50

Contours of Maine Education

Amy Johnson, MEPRI; Denham Ward, Maine State Board of Education; Rep. Holly Sargent; Rep. Sheila Lyman; Jennifer Chace

9:50–10:00

— Break —

10:00–11:00

Governance in Maine's Education System

Host: Jacqueline Edmondson · Panelists: Steve Bowen, Denham Ward, Eric Waddell, Ben Sirois, Allen Sarvinas, Emma Dorian, Moon Tussing

11:00–11:15

— Break · coffee & tea —

11:15–12:00

Curriculum in Maine Schools

Host: Cathie Fallona, University of Southern Maine · Panelists: Jon Doty, Jesse Hargrove, Leslie Smith

12:00–12:45

— Lunch, catered by UTC Culinary —

12:45–1:30

Student Engagement and Personalized Pathways

Host: Holly Blair, Maine Principals Association · Panelists: Heather Anderson, Rene Neuner, Christopher Betts, John Hawley, Huey Sheffler, Jacob Klein

1:30–1:45

— Break —

1:45–2:45

Funding Maine's Schools

Host: Robbie Feinberg · Panelists: Amy Johnson, Maura Pillsbury, Jeremy Ray, Eric Waddell, Cat Biddle, Rebecca Millett

2:45–3:00

— Break · coffee, tea & cookies —

3:00–5:00 Breakout Track Sessions

Delegates split across three rooms in three rounds (with a short break at 4:05). The livestream shows a break card during this window.

Round A · 3:00 Reading (Peter Lancia, Cathie Fallona) · Special Education (Sarah Wilkinson, Rebecca Millett) · Technology Use in Teaching and Learning (Matt Pines, Ruth Kermish)

Round B · 3:35 Civics Education (Emilia Toth, Sen. David Haggan) · The Opioid Epidemic and Student Outcomes (Jessica Drescher, Leslie Smith) · Rural Schools (Val Peacock)

Round C · 4:15 Career and Technical Education (Amanda Peterson) · Pre-K Education (Erica Palmer, Rhonda Kaiser) · Maine's Teacher Workforce (Jason Judd, Cathie Fallona)

5:00–5:30

Delegate Debrief

5:30–6:30

Meet & Greet

Delegates, legislators, stakeholder organizations, and presenters. Informal discussion and follow-up Q&A with light refreshments.

6:30–7:30

Delegates' Dinner

What you'll see

What to expect as an observer

Day 1 is dedicated to learning: delegates explore stories from the Maine School Stories Portal, hear from former Education and Cultural Affairs Committee members and education experts on panels, receive briefings from MEPRI staff, and take part in focused Q&A with community-organization leaders.

Day 2 turns to structured deliberation, where delegates work through tradeoffs and find common ground.