District merger might collapse

Morning Sentinel, February 15, 2008

(excerpt) In a dramatic shakeup, Waterville Public Schools Thursday evening took early steps toward withdrawing from a planned regional school unit that would have stretched from Rome to China.

For several years, Waterville and Messalonskee School District heads have been working toward some form of regionalization of services. The two districts entered serious talks with the now-dissolved School Union 52 (Winslow, China and Vassalboro) when a new state law required districts to consolidate with one or more neighboring districts.

"We are saying that there is no financial scenario at this point for Waterville to continue (toward the planned consolidation)," said Waterville Public Schools Superintendent Eric Haley. "Every financial model that we've run costs Waterville money."

Haley estimates the consolidation as proposed would cost Waterville between $144,000 to $571,000 per year. He recommends that the school board ask the state to allow the school district to operate alone. Waterville and Messalonskee will continue to discuss streamlining the districts' business functions, such as accounts payable, Haley said.

"There's really no money to be saved in consolidating elementary schools unless you close one," he said. "And the law doesn't permit that."