[Local-Maine-Schools] bangor metro article

[Dick Atlee]

He does consistently take one's breath away, doesn't he?  The national 
executive branch seems at last to be moving away from a 
deny-reality-at-all-costs frame of reference, but the state executive 
branch just can't manage to do it.

Dick Atlee
Southwest Harbor

Lynne Williams wrote:
> Hello All:  As the state chair of the Maine Green Independent Party, I 
> was asked to submit a question for an end of his term interview with the 
> Gov., in this month's issue of Bangor Metro magazine - the following, in 
> quotes, is the question that I submitted and the response - some of you, 
> particularly those of you on RSU's and/or selectboards,  might want to 
> write and dispute JB's characterization of the law and the results.  The 
> magazine is online at www.bangormetro.com and on the newstands, it's the 
> Dec. issue.  The author is Mike Woelflein.
> Happy holiday season to all of you, Lynne Williams
> 
> Lynne A. Williams, Esq.
> 13 Albert Meadow
> Bar Harbor, ME  04609
> 266-6327
> lynne at mainegreens.org
> 
> SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION
> 
> School consolidation was another hot button issue for many. “It seems 
> that the predicted $36 million savings is not going to materialize,” one 
> said, calling the move “forced consolidation and a one-size-fits-all 
> plan” where “many of our small, rural towns will see hundreds of 
> thousands of dollars in real estate tax increases in order to 
> consolidate with larger districts.” How do you respond to that criticism?
> 
> The state will realize the $36 million. It is in the law, and state 
> subsidy has been adjusted accordingly. All over the state, regions are 
> predicting savings on the local level, modest or nonexistent in the 
> first year or two, but substantial in subsequent years. In the areas 
> where they have gone into the process assuming there will be no savings, 
> they have not found them. In areas where they have put quality 
> educational opportunities for students at the top of the list, they have 
> found ways to save money in noninstructional areas so they can continue 
> to offer the highest quality educational opportunities.
> 
> This has been far from a one-size-fits-all plan. There’s a great deal of 
> flexibility, requiring SAUs to explore their options and do the hard 
> work of negotiating solutions that work best for them. There is no 
> reason for the law to result in shifting costs from one town to another, 
> or for school units to see increases in taxes. Municipalities create 
> their own cost-sharing formula in order to avoid cost-shifting. The 
> plans submitted and approved are unique, made to work best locally. 
> Also, it’s not forced. Communities have an opportunity to vote on 
> consolidation and decide for themselves how to proceed.