[Local-Maine-Schools] Article reference from Skip Greenlaw

[Dick Atlee]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Fw:
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:44:42 -0400
From: skipgreenlaw <skipg at midmaine.com>

Good evening everyone,

I commend to your reading the article in the "Daily Bulldog" (below) in 
which school board members and superintendents in Farmington, SAD 58, 
Jay and some other towns got together to speak out about the unforeseen 
consequences of the school consolidtion law.  The use of the adjective, 
"painful" is particulary appropriate in the caption of the picture.

       http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/?p=777

They deserve a "profile in courage" for their candor and for 
articulating the problems they see associated with school consolidation 
particularly in light of the huge penalties those systems face if they 
do not approve their plans.

I am impressed with their suggestion that Augusta allow everyone to find 
ways to save money and bring about efficiencies without the heavy hand 
of this law.  It makes good common sense to let Maine people use their 
Yankee ingenuity to reduce costs without destroying our governance 
structure.  Does anyone remember how many people made the same 
suggestion at the public hearing on school consolidation on February 5, 
2007?

Their example of calling public meetings ought to be replicated all over 
the State by other school boards and superintendents.  I know that it is 
too late for the communities which are voting on November 4.  However, 
there are many communities which are voting after November 4, which 
could use this approach.

I urge you to forward this article to as many of your friends, 
neighbors, and associates as you can.  We need to start this ball 
rolling so that by the time the 124th Legislature convenes there will be 
no question in their minds about repealing the school consolidation law.

Kudos to the superintendents and school board members from western Maine 
for their courage to speak out and set an example for the rest of us.

Sincerely
Skip