Senate OKs school consolidation changes

Portland Press Herald, February 13, 2008

(excerpt) State senators voted on Tuesday to change Maine's controversial, year-old school consolidation law.

The amendment, which still needs approval from the House, would let school districts develop their own cost-sharing plans instead of conforming to a state-imposed formula. It also would delay until next year a requirement that voters approve their local school budgets by referendum.

Legislators are considering changes to the consolidation law in response to feedback from parents, educators and school officials who say the mandate is heavy-handed and inequitable.