Think tank backs school plan

Portland Press Herald, January 23, 2007

(excerpts) A nonpartisan group that analyzes state spending announced its support Monday for Gov. John Baldacci's plan to reduce the number of school districts, but questioned whether it will save as much money as the governor projects.

Two members of the Maine Public Spending Research Group, a relatively new Portland think tank dedicated to monitoring state spending, told members of the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel editorial board that the governor's plan will save about $37 million in the first year.

That's significantly less than the $65 million first-year savings Baldacci and Education Commissioner Susan Gendron believe will be saved.
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However, the group's analysis of the numbers doesn't match what's been promised in the second year of the state budget, said Moore, a former superintendent in the Gorham and York school systems.

He said the state is relying on savings in unrealistic projections of fixed costs.

"The value is in the out years, when you have these regional boards and they are making decisions about resource allocation," Moore said.