The Consolidation Debacle
Ellsworth American, January 3, 2008
(excerpt) One of Gendron’s biggest problems is the mounting evidence across the state that the major savings envisioned by Gov. John Baldacci’s school reorganization push are not there. In fact, the consolidation plans are proving to be more, rather than less, expensive for many communities. Yet Gendron continues to talk about the “efficiencies” to be gained from forcing the creation of regional school units with at least 1,200 students, no matter what the other consequences of such mergers may be. Of course, she really has no choice. To do otherwise would be to admit the failure of her grand design.
The commissioner’s rejection of so many reorganization plans also is having spinoff effects. When they learned of her opposition to what she calls the “super union” concept contained in MDI’s plan, officials in the western Hancock County towns comprising proposed Regional School Union 10 put their efforts on hold. The observed that “having each town with its own K-8 school board was the only direction that seemed to hold any promise.” The Brooksville School Committee took things one step further, voting unanimously to support the petition for a referendum seeking outright repeal of the school consolidation law. That same position has been taken by the Penobscot School Committee, which also has signed the petition.
(excerpt) One of Gendron’s biggest problems is the mounting evidence across the state that the major savings envisioned by Gov. John Baldacci’s school reorganization push are not there. In fact, the consolidation plans are proving to be more, rather than less, expensive for many communities. Yet Gendron continues to talk about the “efficiencies” to be gained from forcing the creation of regional school units with at least 1,200 students, no matter what the other consequences of such mergers may be. Of course, she really has no choice. To do otherwise would be to admit the failure of her grand design.
The commissioner’s rejection of so many reorganization plans also is having spinoff effects. When they learned of her opposition to what she calls the “super union” concept contained in MDI’s plan, officials in the western Hancock County towns comprising proposed Regional School Union 10 put their efforts on hold. The observed that “having each town with its own K-8 school board was the only direction that seemed to hold any promise.” The Brooksville School Committee took things one step further, voting unanimously to support the petition for a referendum seeking outright repeal of the school consolidation law. That same position has been taken by the Penobscot School Committee, which also has signed the petition.
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