A Sun Journal article discussed Lewiston School Committee members’ concerns with the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act, and their request to meet with me to share their thoughts (Sept. 29).

I truly regret that, within my office, this matter was not brought to my attention so that I may have been able to accommodate this request, as I have been to Lewiston-Auburn frequently, and I return to Maine almost every weekend and every Senate recess period.

With a recess next week, I will be meeting on Oct. 9 with the Committee and other area school superintendents to discuss NCLB.

I am certainly mindful of the seriousness of the issue, which I have discussed with groups including the Maine Principals’ Association, Maine Education Association and the Maine Teachers for the Gifted and Talented, as well as the Maine Municipal Association, which included six Lewiston members.

Further, my staff has held over a dozen more meetings, including meetings and calls with the Maine Department of Education. My staff has also reinforced to the U.S. Department of Education that NCLB’s federal standards cannot undermine Maine’s own Learning Results, and I have supported efforts to defend Maine’s ability to preserve this innovative assessment system. Finally, I have supported increased funding to assist in complying with NCLB requirements.

My staff continues to work closely with the state and school representatives to explore ways to mitigate burdensome effects of NCLB, and I look forward to working with the Lewiston School Committee to help address their concerns.

U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe