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Opportunity Maine

Last year, a talented group of young people decided to do something about the high cost of higher education and the burden of college loans. They organized a group called Opportunity Maine and, taking advantage of Maine’s citizen initiative process, drafted legislation providing a college loan tax credit for every Maine student who graduates from a college or university in Maine (whether public or private) and stays in Maine to work. They gathered enough signatures to put their proposal before the Legislature and we were proud to support the bill, which goes into effect this fall (2007). The outstanding young people of Opportunity Maine make me optimistic about Maine’s future.

School District Reorganization

Maine’s K-12 education system costs more to administer than it should, according to a number of recent reports, and paying those costs makes it difficult to fund classroom programs.

To bring administrative costs into line with national figures, and to expand educational options for our students, the recently enacted budget calls for merging smaller local school administrative units into larger regional units. While the Governor proposed to cut the number of school units from the current 290 to 26, the Legislature amended the budget bill to set a goal of about 80 school units throughout the State.

The details of the new local school units -- such as the boundaries of the new units and the makeup of the governing board -- will be determined by local planning committees and voted on by the residents of each affected municipality. Most are expected to vote on January 15th, 2008.

Most small school units must join with others to create a new unit with at least 1,200 students in a rural area of the State and 2,500 students in a more densely populated area. The new law doesn’t close local schools and actually makes it more difficult to close schools without local town approval.

The State sends about $1 billion a year to cities and towns to pay for local education costs, and the new law is aimed at making sure that these dollars, as well as local tax dollars, are used as efficiently as possible.

School District Reorganization FAQs

Question: What is the purpose of school administration consolidation?
Answer: To preserve quality education in Maine and to make sure that we use tax dollars as efficiently as possible. The intent is to provide more resources to the classroom by reducing administrative costs. Since 1978, the number of students attending Maine public schools has decreased 16 percent; the number of administrators, not including superintendents, has grown 54 percent.

Question: How will my children’s education be affected?
Answer: It will remain the same at least, and in many cases could improve.

Question: Will this close schools?
Answer: No. To close a school, the new regional school boards must vote by a 2/3rds supermajority AND the town or towns served by the school must vote by referendum to close it.

Question: How many teachers and principals will be reduced?
Answer: The objective is for no reduction in teachers. School administration statewide will be reduced at the “district” level depending on the eventual total of districts.

Question: Why do the commissioner’s maps show 62 districts, while up to 80 is the goal?
Answers: 80 is the goal. The 62 districts map is based on work done earlier this year, now to be used as a starting point.

Question: How big are the new districts?
Answer: Legislative intent is 80 districts. The goal is a student population of 2,500 per district, with exceptions allowing for a goal of 1,200 in geographically disbursed areas, islands and tribal communities. District pupil total will vary based on geography, population density, existing relationships, transportation and other factors. Currently, school districts in Maine average 734 pupils, compared to 3,200 nationally.

Question: Can you pick your own partners?
Answer: Yes, you pick your own partners to form a new district.

Question: Are you required to consolidate?
Answer: No. School districts that vote “no” will incur a penalty if they do not consolidate by July 2009 in the form of reduced state subsidy.

Question: Will all districts be changed by this?
Answer: No. Some districts are at an efficient size (2,500 or more) and others like coastal islands that are not feasibly able to consolidate will stay as is now.

Question: Is a local vote necessary?
Answer: Yes, all districts must vote by referendum in January 2008. Towns that vote “no” in January 2008 can vote at any time in the future to join a district. Towns that do not consolidate by July 1, 2009 will incur a penalty beginning with the 2009-10 school year.

Question: Who pays for the local vote?
Answer: The Department of Education will cover the cost of the election in January 2008.

Question: Will there be assistance to consolidate?
Answer: Yes. The Department of Education will provide facilitators to work with local districts and is expected to have funds to help pay some of the costs of consolidation.

Question: Will this end high school choice?
Answer: No. Every district will have a public high school, but those communities that currently enjoy choice will continue to have it.

Questions: Will kids have longer school bus rides?
Answer: No, the number of schools stays the same as now.

Question: Is there a maximum geographic area considering travel for district board and management?
Answer: No. The only criteria are based on geography, population density, existing relationships, transportation and other factors.