A controversial plan to implement sweeping changes in school administrative units has been adopted by the legislature as part of the state budget. The Maine House of Representatives voted 112 to 29 in favor of the budget, and the Senate enacted the budget by a vote of 28-7 on June 6. Both votes exceed the margin of two-thirds required for the bill to become law immediately after being signed by Governor John Baldacci.

      State Senator Kevin Raye of Perry voted against the budget, in part because of "lingering concerns about the consolidation plan, particularly with respect to penalties, the geographic size of districts in some rural areas and the uncertainty of projected savings." He adds, "Now that it will become law, I will do all I can to make sure that it is implemented in a way that is as sensitive as possible to local concerns."

      Union 104 interim Superintendent Omar Norton of Eastport, well known for his experience in state and local school issues, says of the school regionalization plan, "I've been following this very closely, and I just don't believe the savings are there. The very lack of planning time  they can't expect this to fall into place automatically. I don't believe the time and money they proclaim to save is going to happen. It's not for good politics, good financing or good education."

      Norton disagrees with the formation of "super boards," the state's plan to consolidate local school boards. "I believe in local school communities. We won't have this kind of control, the closeness, of local school boards. I have never met an overly liberal board of selectmen, city council or school board. These folks are always looking on real value for every dollar spent. I think the state is trying to cut off local control, and I don't believe it's about savings at all." Norton adds that he does not believe that small schools would be safe from closure as stated in the plan.

      The legislative intent of the law is to create a maximum of 80 school units, with two proposed for Washington County. Existing school units would act to form regional school units of at least 2,500 resident students, except where geography, demographics, population density or transportation issues make it impossible. All plans, whether proposing administrative consolidation or not, must show how the school unit will reduce system administration costs to state‑determined levels and reduce transportation, special education, facilities and maintenance expenditures by 5%.

      The reorganization plan lists the following school districts for eastern Washington County, consisting of 20 towns with three high schools  Woodland Junior/Senior High School, Calais Middle/High School and Eastport's Shead High School. Proposed communities for this area are Alexander, Baileyville, Calais, Charlotte, Cooper, Crawford, Dennysville, Eastport, Grand Lake Stream, Meddybemps, Pembroke, Perry, Princeton, Robbinston, Talmadge, Waite, Baring, Codyville, Topsfield and Vanceboro. There are 1,881 students in the district.

      The reorganization plan for western Washington County includes 22 towns with five high schools  Machias Memorial High School, Narraguagus High School, Jonesport‑Beals High School, Lubec Consolidated School and Washington Academy. Proposed communities for this area are Beals, Beddington, Cutler, Deblois, East Machias, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, Northfield, Rogue Bluffs, Wesley, Whiting, Whitneyville, Addison, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington, Milbridge and Lubec. The total number of students is 2,213.

      All reorganization plans are subject to voter approval. The Department of Education will fund an election in January 2008 to put out a referendum question regarding school administration consolidation. According to the statewide plan, penalties will be imposed if voters disapprove of the reorganization plan. The Financial Impact and Penalties section states that the General Purpose Aid for Education will be reduced by $36.5 million in FY 2009. All newly formed school units will have a reduced allocation for system administration, transportation, special education and facilities and maintenance.

      The reorganization plans say that no schools will be closed. Local schools cannot be closed unless a regional board votes by two-thirds vote and the municipality where the school is located votes to approve the closure. Every regional school unit must have a public supported high school. Students who have school choice right now will continue to have the opportunity of school choice after reorganization. Teachers and other school employees will be transferred to new units and will retain their rights under collective bargaining contracts. Contracts will continue until planned expiration dates. Regional school units will be governed by a regional school board; representation on the board is determined by the local communities as part of the reorganization planning process. Regional boards may create local school committees with locally determined powers and duties. All school units will be required to use a uniform budget format.

      According to Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell, the purpose of the school administration consolidation is "to preserve quality education in Maine and to make sure that we use tax dollars as efficiently as possible. Children's education will remain the same at least, and in many cases improve."

      The objective is for no reduction in teachers assures Mitchell. School administration statewide will be reduced at the district level depending on the eventual total number of districts. Mitchell states that the legislative intent is 80 districts. The goal is a student population of 2,500 per district, with exceptions allowing for a goal of 1,200 in geographically disbursed areas, islands and tribal communities. Schools will be able to pick their own partners to form a new district, but schools are not required to consolidate. School districts that vote no will incur a penalty, in the form of a reduced state subsidy, if they do not consolidate by July 2009.