The Westbrook American reported in its issue of Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1955, that Bernard Rines of Gorham and Hugh Saunders of Westbrook were co-chairmen of a committee that would gather public comment locally on all phases of education in the United States in addition to their school systems. The committee planned discussions on Oct. 26, 1955, in Corthell Hall at Gorham State Teachers College.

Part of a nationwide project, it stemmed from President Dwight Eisenhower’s desire to receive input from the people about U.S. educational policy.