We are all experiencing the hard economic times here in Maine. As we crunch numbers for our weekly budgets, it is important to remember the key aspect to a strong, prosperous economy is a strong education system.

Right now, Maine lags behind the rest of New England in test scores, graduation rate and degree attainment. The state also lags behind the rest of New England in average salary. That is no coincidence.

Students who are better positioned out of high school and into college are more likely to obtain higher-paying jobs in better fields in our state. In order to ensure this promise to our youth, we must reform our education system from early childhood education and beyond.

That is why I am happy and more than excited to hear about the Prepare Maine Initiative. This program emphasizes the importance of community support and outreach in our education system and, as a professional, I agree 100 percent. It is through our communities in Maine that we see the capacity for change, and thus, it is through our communities that we can solve our current education dilemmas.

I am excited to roll up my sleeves and give 110 percent to see the Prepare Maine program succeed, and to watch both our education system and our economy flourish.

Richard Aragon, Topsham