Union 104 Superintendent Art Wittine distributed Governor John Baldacci's Local Schools Regional Support Initiative (LSRS) to Perry School Committee members to look over and discuss at their January 8 meeting. The report went over like a lead balloon. The consensus of the board was that the governor's proposal to consolidate the administrative structure of school districts would take local control away from small schools.

     Board members learned that all local school boards that are in place eventually would be dissolved, and a 15-member board from towns in the region, not just in the surrounding area, would be elected to make decisions for smaller schools. Not only would the initiative impact superintendents who are already hard to hire in Washington County, but it would target central office personnel. Currently, Union 104 operates five schools in the area.

     Wittine said that the administrative savings, projected over a period of three years, were "false figures." He also warned that classroom size could increase. The Perry school is already at capacity with 119 students.

     In an e-mail sent to Wittine, Union 102 Superintendent Scott Porter, based in Machias, urged local school boards, teachers and staff to contact local legislators to voice disapproval of the plan that could negatively impact small schools. A list of legislators' e-mail addresses was given to school committee members.

Questions about impact of LNG workers' village<br>      Selectwoman Jeanne Guisinger spoke to the group during public participation about the Washington County Leadership Institute meetings that would be taking place during the next several weekends. They are being offered by the Sunrise County Economic Council. Guisinger said the nine sessions were "worthwhile," and she hoped to enlist one or more school board members to participate. "It is a huge time commitment but worth it. Meetings will take place in different locations in Washington County, and I would encourage you to try taking part in it." Guisinger also asked to seek out information, with permission from Selectmen David Turner and Dick Adams, "about how the school would accommodate an increase of enrollment if a workers' village connected with a LNG construction plan were to come into town." Wittine answered, "It's a constant battle we fight here now. We already have an increased enrollment." The superintendent gave Guisinger several scenarios and costs for a sudden increase of 10% or 20% enrollment, construction figures for an addition, personnel, supplies and building needs. The amount topped about $600,000, all based on a possibility of projected costs.

     Andrea Barstow, Quoddy Bay LNG community relations director, was also present at the school board meeting and asked the board if she could clarify some questions about preparations for a 30-acre site at the corner of Route 1 and Route 190 that would be purchased by the LNG developer to be used for temporary lodging for construction workers who would build the proposed LNG terminal. "This worker village is for individuals only, single workers, not families. The workers would stay on average about two to four months stretch at a time. I don't see an impact on the school. Any impact would be minimal, unless workers decided that the area was where they wanted to live and moved here." Barstow gave out some Project Bulletins to board members from Quoddy Bay LNG outlining their intention for temporary housing.

     The school board is seeking to fill a Grade 1 teacher position to finish out the school year. Overcrowding in the lower grades has prompted officials to seek the temporary solution of using the school library as a classroom if a suitable candidate is hired. During the next year, the school board will look at the possibility of again asking the town's help for input on additional space.

     James Whitehead and Robert Patterson are in the process of installing a new trophy case in the lobby of the school. The school board and staff appreciate their efforts.

     A new Simplex Alarm System has been installed in the school. Critical Incident Response drills and plans are in place.

     The North Perry United Methodist Church has donated $200 toward the Perry School Playground Project. The donation was gratefully accepted.

     Important dates for the remainder of the month of January: January 15, no school, Martin Luther King Day; January 19, grades close for second quarter; January 25, second quarter grades close; January 26, no school, professional development day for teachers.

     The next Perry School Committee meeting is on Monday, February 5, at 7 p.m.