School consolidation would raise local taxes
Bar Harbor Times, April 6, 2007
(excerpt) Local property taxes would go up 32 percent under a statewide school consolidation plan being considered by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, Town Manager Dana Reed and Conners-Emerson School Principal Barbara Neilly told the Town Council Tuesday night.
“We would be exporting our tax dollars off island to support schools in other parts of the region,” Mr. Reed said.
At the same time, Conners-Emerson would have to cut up to 14 positions and eliminate interscholastic sports and other programs, according to Ms. Neilly.
“We have an excellent school system here because the community understands the importance of education to the quality of life on the island,” said Paul Murphy, a member of the Conners-Emerson School board and chair of the MDI High School board.
“If any forced consolidation comes upon us, the level of excellence we have will no longer be available. We ask you (the council) to join us in working to keep our schools in the sustaining arms of the community.”
The council voted unanimously to endorse the School Union 98 board’s opposition to school consolidation proposals by the governor and some lawmakers. Under those plans, towns would no longer have any control over their local schools and regional advisory boards would replace individual school boards.
(excerpt) Local property taxes would go up 32 percent under a statewide school consolidation plan being considered by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, Town Manager Dana Reed and Conners-Emerson School Principal Barbara Neilly told the Town Council Tuesday night.
At the same time, Conners-Emerson would have to cut up to 14 positions and eliminate interscholastic sports and other programs, according to Ms. Neilly.
“We have an excellent school system here because the community understands the importance of education to the quality of life on the island,” said Paul Murphy, a member of the Conners-Emerson School board and chair of the MDI High School board.
“If any forced consolidation comes upon us, the level of excellence we have will no longer be available. We ask you (the council) to join us in working to keep our schools in the sustaining arms of the community.”
The council voted unanimously to endorse the School Union 98 board’s opposition to school consolidation proposals by the governor and some lawmakers. Under those plans, towns would no longer have any control over their local schools and regional advisory boards would replace individual school boards.
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