Committee votes to support new cost-sharing formula
Kennebec Journal, January 11, 2008
(excerpt) The cost-sharing formula would keep all the debt local -- such as when a town decides to build a new school. For the first year, the agreement would make it so towns' additional local share over state funds would not be greater than 1 percent more they are currently paying.
Manchester, Mount Vernon, Wayne, Readfield, Winthrop and Fayette agreed to partner in order to comply with a state law aimed at shrinking the number of school districts in Maine from 290 to 80.
Committee members stressed Thursday that the tentative cost-sharing formula they approved Thursday is legal only if approved by the Legislature. The Legislature is considering LD 1932, which would allow districts that face a cost shift to develop their own local cost-sharing agreements instead of using the state formula.
The measure also would allow some school units that currently receive a minimum subsidy to keep that subsidy.
One of the biggest hurdles for districts looking to partner with neighboring school units has been blending finances. How costs are shared between consolidating districts is determined by a state formula that factors in student population, property values and other factors.
(excerpt) The cost-sharing formula would keep all the debt local -- such as when a town decides to build a new school. For the first year, the agreement would make it so towns' additional local share over state funds would not be greater than 1 percent more they are currently paying.
Manchester, Mount Vernon, Wayne, Readfield, Winthrop and Fayette agreed to partner in order to comply with a state law aimed at shrinking the number of school districts in Maine from 290 to 80.
Committee members stressed Thursday that the tentative cost-sharing formula they approved Thursday is legal only if approved by the Legislature. The Legislature is considering LD 1932, which would allow districts that face a cost shift to develop their own local cost-sharing agreements instead of using the state formula.
The measure also would allow some school units that currently receive a minimum subsidy to keep that subsidy.
One of the biggest hurdles for districts looking to partner with neighboring school units has been blending finances. How costs are shared between consolidating districts is determined by a state formula that factors in student population, property values and other factors.
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