February 27 ,  2009  

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Area school unions to wait until spring
for alternative plans

 
    by Eileen Curry                

Voters in eastern Washington County rejected a school administrative reorganization plan on January 13 that aimed to organize 20 area towns into one regional school unit. Area schools unions were then informed by their superintendents that an alternative plan will not be forthcoming.

In a February 24 letter addressed to all School Union 104 board members, Superintendent Terry Lux explained, "According to information provided by Maine School Management Association, there are 218 school districts left in Maine after the deadline of January 30 to vote on school consolidation. One hundred and thirty-nine school units were in consolidation plans rejected by voters. Given the large number of schools facing financial penalties imposed by the consolidation law, it is unclear what action the legislature will take when it deals with this complex issue. It could affirm the citizens initiative and repeal the law or more likely attempt to modify the requirements without creating a 'competing measure.'"

Lux suggested that it would be April or May before school systems would know if the legislature or the Department of Education (DOE) would provide additional types of plans the department would approve, or if there would be additional flexibility with respect to geography, population density or the allowable number of students in a regional school unit. She felt it unlikely that any additional useful guidance for communities trying to craft a plan that would be approved by the department would be forthcoming before spring. Lux said, "Given that it would take several months for a plan to be developed and additional months before it could be acted upon by voters, one soon realizes that existing systems will operate pretty much as is, at least until sometime after July 1, 2009."

Lux reported that in the interim period, towns in School Unions 107, 106, 104, Community School District 12 and Vanceboro will continue to work internally and with neighboring school districts to create ways to share resources. "We will work with the legislature, DOE and other districts to have the penalties removed or at least mitigated by other cost saving measures."

She said that once specific guidance for options is provided by the legislature, a stakeholder meeting of all interested parties will be held to discuss options for proceeding. Options might include re-filing an intent to reorganize with the DOE, developing an alternate plan or plans for reorganization, and ultimately voter approval should the consolidation law remain in effect. Lux said, "A list of additional ways to share personnel, property and services is under development."

Community members and voters in area towns can attend their local school board meetings for continuing updates regarding school consolidation issues or contact their local superintendent's office if they have questions.

February 27,  2009     (Home)     

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