Good news came this month to the hard-working hopefuls who have toiled over developing the Central Washington County School System (CWCSS) that includes MSAD 19 in Lubec. On October 15, Education Commissioner Susan Gendron wrote John Sprague, who chairs the regional planning committee (RPC), that the school reorganization plan submitted "is complete and in compliance with the law."

In addition to Lubec, CWCSS aims to encompass the school departments of Cutler, East Machias, Machias, Machiasport, Jonesboro, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Wesley, Whiting and Whitneyville, all to be known collectively as the plan's member school units. Representing Lubec on the RPC are school board member Eleody Libby, grant coordinator Peggy Bailey, Bill Daye, chairman of the selectmen, and Town Administrator Maureen Glidden.

The school reorganization plan, prepared by the central group and referred to by Gendron, describes an alternative organization structure (AOS) with a start-up date of July 1, 2009, being proposed. A central office will be established to administer a core curriculum. The office will also serve the member units to the degree possible so that varied responsibilities are shared for significant cost cutting. At the same time, the plan envisions a wide range of local control for each of the units to preserve. The RPC estimates total savings of $100,000 or more as applied by weighted vote method in the first year of the plan.

MSAD 19 Superintendent Michael Buckley notes, "We've already done the budget for the central office." He adds that Lubec will soon announce a series of public town forums to give local residents complete information and answer questions regarding the plan. After full discussions, a referendum date will be scheduled for voting.

In Gendron's letter of approval for the CWCSS, she recommends that the RPC consult legal advice as the plan is implemented, to ensure that every step taken complies with the overall school reorganization law.

Scott Porter, Union 102 superintendent, supports the AOS plan, "except that it has a serious flaw." As he has done previously, he again cites the proposed interlocal agreement among the member school units that relates to state subsidies. Distribution per school, he contends, may be more or less, but it won't be the same. Several participants have pointed out that even the Department of Education can't seem to figure out how to solve that problem.