SADs 48, 53, 38 eyeing consolidation
Bangor Daily News, May 23, 2007

(excerpt) SAD 48 consists of six towns: Corinna, Hartland, Newport, St. Albans, Palmyra and Plymouth. SAD 38 educates Etna and Dixmont primary pupils but contracts with SAD 48 for secondary education. SAD 53 consists of Burnham, Detroit and Pittsfield, with an existing contract for secondary education with Maine Central Institute.

Both superintendents stressed that the initial plan intends to cut 5 percent from administration, special education, building maintenance and transportation, and that - at least initially - no schools are expected to close.

"Obviously the Legislature intends to cut $36 million by July 2008," Gallagher said. "It may be simply that they cut that out of our subsidies."

But both superintendents also agreed that melding the districts presents a lot more questions than answers.

One of the biggest would be how to deal with high school students. Nokomis Regional High School in Newport is bursting at the seams and is surrounded by portable classrooms. It is on the state's list for replacement. MCI, however, has room for additional students, although its boarding population is full.

The biggest difference is expense. SAD 53 pays about $1,800 more than SAD 48 to educate high school students.

This article is not available online. It is excerpted here because of its local interest. We offer this excerpt in the belief that such use of this material falls within fair use guidelines. Back issues of newspapers are available at local libraries. Please support your local newspapers!