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School Consolidation Plans for Maine

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Legislation

[Enacted and signed] PUBLIC Law, Chapter 668, (4/18/2008)

Alternative Organizational Structures, Department of Education

LD 2323: "An Act To Remove Barriers to the Reorganization of School Administrative Units", (4/15/2008)
Mount Desert Island's School Governance Model, MDIschools.net, (01/09/2008)
2007 Law, with linked table of contents, Maine Municipal Association
LD 499 Final Statutory Language as approved by Legislature, with amendment 'T' text highlighted, (6/06/2007); [*.doc format, *.pdf format]

Table of Contents (annotated) for the above, with sections affected by amendment 'T' highlighted [*.doc format, *.pdf format]
House Amendment 'T', (6/05; "XXXX" sections are relevant to consolidation)

Reorganization process

Table of proposed RSUs, MDIschools.net (5/11/2008)
Map of proposed RSUs, MDIschools.net
Collective Bargaining Provisions of the 2007 School Reorganization Law, Joseph Stupak, MEA (01/09)
School Reorganization: The Municipal Clerk's Responsibilities, MMA powerpoint (*.ppt) (10/04)
Drummond Woodsum's Reorganization Plan template, 09/26/2007 (*.doc)
MDI Schools' Regional Planning Committee page
Navigating the DOE "template", Maine Municipal Association
Role and Responsibilities of the Reorganization Planning Committee, Maine Municipal Association, September 2007
Union 98 convenes a regional planning committee (6/25)
A Primer for School Reorganization, MMA, Maine Townsman, June
Superintendent Liebow's powerpoint presentation to Union 98 staff, MDI HS, 6/14 (3Mb, *.ppt)
Summary of Approved School Consolidation Legislation, MSMA (6/11)

DoE reorganization materials

Getting Restarted: Resources for RPCs and School Systems Working to Reorganize, Department of Education
Alternative Organizational Structures, Department of Education
"Exemplary" Falmouth/SAD 51 reorganization plan
Potential Cost Sharing Factors, DoE, (2/20/2008)
DoE municipal cost-sharing template (*.xls), Department of Education, (11/28)
Clarification on Key Aspects of School Administrative Reorganization, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter, 11/13
Reorganization Plan Checklist and Cover Page, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter, 11/13

Reorganization Plan Submittal Sheet (*.pdf), DoE, 11/13 | (*.doc) | (*.rtf)
Reorganization Plan Cover Checklist (*.pdf), DoE, 11/13 | (*.doc) | (*.rtf)

SAU and RPC Requests for Reimbursement of Legal Costs, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter (10/26)
Updated Activity on Notices of Intent and Responses since 9/27, DoE, (10/19)
Summary of DOE Responses to Notices of Intent, DoE (9/25)
Forms

RPC Request for Funds for Miscellaneous Costs (*.rtf)

Re: Request for Funds for Miscellaneous Costs, DoE informational letter, 8/09

Guidelines for RPCs, (6/29)
PowerPoint presentation for the regional meeting, DoE (6/18)

More detailed PowerPoint given to Superintendents, DoE, (6/25-6/26)

Facilitator options, DoE (6/18)
DoE's Process and Summary of Reorganization, Department of Education, (6/18, revised 6/21)

DoE's Process and Summary of Reorganization, Department of Education, (6/11)

DoE timeline (6/11)
Suggested model for 80 RSUs, DoE, (5/21)

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News and Comment

[News archive: January 2007 - April 2008]

Legislature enacts budget, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press, Sun Journal
WINDSOR: Town will shelter key school funds, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
[Buckfield, Dixfield, Rumford] Three districts report on consolidation efforts, Tom Standard, Sun Journal
Wiscasset Board Refers RSU Decision for Referendum, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
Merger bill sputters in House, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
House Roll Call on emergency enactment of LD 1932
Houses Passes Committee Report on Schools Bill 104-41, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

[Oakland] Cuts sour efforts toward consolidation, Joel Elliott, Kennebec Journal
Department reports not much RPC activity since January, Susan Cover, Press Herald
Second House Roll Call on enactment of LD 1932

Analysis and breakdown of House Roll Call on enactment of LD 1932

Senate Roll Call on LD 1932 amended to remove emergency preamble

...Please thank these Senators

Bill Amending Consolidation Law Stalls in House, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
School district mergers likely to survive, Editorial, Press Herald
Future of Adams School Is a Hot Topic in Castine, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
Is That How You Spell Relief?, Richard Malaby, Ellsowrth American
[Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton] New school district plan almost ready for voters, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
[Cumberland, North Yarmouth] State funding for SAD 51 results in lower taxes, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
Freeport school consolidation hinges on legislation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster

Maine 8th graders win high marks in writing report, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
House passes LD 1932 to be enacted
Lawmakers stuck on school bill, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
To Falmouth and SAD 51: Please join us in support of LD 1932 as amended, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
School Officials Getting Frustrated With Maine Legislature, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH

York, Wells, Ogunquit still in a holding pattern, waiting to hear back from DoE, Susan Chamberlin, Portsmouth Herald

Senate to vote today on bill Cost-sharing has no opposition, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
Taking the battle out of consolidation, Editorial, Sun Journal
Senate votes to enact LD 1932 (Roll Call)
Rural Maine supports LD 1932 as enacted, urges Governor to sign bill
Baldacci vetoes union bill, Mount Desert Islander
Governor Vetoes LD 1932, An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding School Funding, Governor's press release
Senate sustains Balacci's veto
School consolidation bill veto sustained, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press

Baldacci vetos school bill, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
Taxpayers urged to beware of school consolidation, Kate Clement, Charles Hebson, Press Herald
School proposal changes vetoed, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
School Union Bill Dead After Governor's Veto, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
Veto leaves MDI schools in limbo, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
R.I.P., LD 1932, Steve Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

Where are promised savings from school regionalization?, Heather Perry, Press Herald
Consolidation wind, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
Veto sets stage for renewed battle over school consolidation law, Rich Hewitt, Bangor daily News
LD 2314, The Governor's replacement to LD 1932
Maine wrestles with school consolidation, Isaac Opper, Colby Echo
[York] Schools await response, Allie Kinney, York Weekly
Legislative wrap-up: Truth and consequences, George Smith, Kennebec JOurnal
Nobleboro Citizens Face Second School Budget Validation, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
House votes to repeal reorganization law [Roll Call]

Consolidation foes should ditch poison pill, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
Augusta to partner with Georgetown school, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
School consolidation revise awaiting action, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
Maine House repeals school consolidation law, Mal Leary, Capitol News Service, Bangor Daily News
Continuing Consolidation Chaos..., Steve Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
Local legislators vote to repeal school consolidation law, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
DoE Reorganization Update
Consolidation Work Continues Despite Legislative Difficulties, Scott Sassone, WLBZ
House lawmakers line up for school law repeal, AP, Boston Globe
House approves proposal to repeal consolidation, Bar Harbor Times
Falmouth, SAD 51 RPC: 'We need wind', Linda Maule, Forecaster
Will the school consolidation law go up in flames?, politickerME.com
MDI officials irate over missed vote, Earl Brechlin, Mount Desert Islander
Hubbell at center of union debate, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
Augusta board approves deal with Georgetown for superintendent, Bob Kalish, Times Record
[Westport Island] Selectmen discuss governor's veto on school consolidation, Charlotte Boynton, Wiscasset Newspaper

School union bill dies hard, Victoria Wallack and Earl Brechlin, Mount Desert Islander
House votes to repeal consolidation, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
[Peru, Canton, Dixfield, Carthage] Selectmen briefed on regionalization plan, Mary Standard, Sun Journal
Legislature's Direction on School Reorganization Entirely Unclear, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
House approves proposal to repeal consolidation, Bar Harbor Times

Shut schools feared New Portland and Embden worry their elementaries will be closed, Morning Sentinel
Save money by cutting state education staff, Clayton McLaughlin, Morning Sentinel
Education department doesn't help kids, Clayton Spinney, Kennebec Journal
[View from New Hampshire] Education funding: Two plans, two approaches, Michael Mccord, Portsmouth Herald
[View from New Hampshire] Education funding crossroads, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald

[Searsport] SAD 56 Superintendent Mary Szwec sends memo warning district employees of likely staff cuts next year, Steve Fuller, Waldo Independent
[Farmington] SAD 9 struggles with budget cuts; Weld School may close this fall or 2009, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
[Farmington, Weld] School board mulls cuts, school closure, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
[Anson, Emden, New Portland] SAD 74 school closings avoided, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
Legislative session winds down, Rebekah Metzler, Sun Journal
[Monmouth] Residents to get lowdown on school consolidation, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
[Oxford Hills] 16 school jobs cut, Duke Harrington, Norway Advertiser Democrat
Schools feel state pain, Paul Beane, Bangor Daily News
[Morrill] School closure impact weighed, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
[Eastport, Lubec] Schools to face tough choices with severe state funding cuts, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
School consolidation reform possible after veto, Edward French, Quoddy Tides

Time short for reforms to school consolidation law, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
Governor Quashes School Union Bill; In Response, House Votes Outright Repeal, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
School bills are in limbo, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
LD 2323: "An Act To Remove Barriers to the Reorganization of School Administrative Units"
Senate passes LD 2323 (roll call)
Feuding Continues Over Maine Efforts to Merge Districts

High drama in Augusta, Skip Greenlaw, York County Coast Star
House votes to repeal school consolidation law, John Hale, Capital Weekly
New school bill advanced, AP
Lawmakers Discuss Refinements To School System Consolidation, Rhonda Erskine, WLBZ
Senate concurs and passes LD 2323 (roll call)
House enacts LD 2323 (roll call)

School plan wins passage, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander

LD 2323 and the Play by Play, Skip Greenlaw
LD 2323 and the Play by Play, Brian Hubbell

Senate enacts LD 2323 22-12 (roll call)
Senate OKs school consolidation changes, AP
Update on Reorganization Legislation Enacted by the Legislature, DoE media update
Lawmakers close out session, Francis X. Quinn, AP
Lawmakers revise school consolidation law, press toward adjournment, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
School Consolidation Law Doesn't Satisfy Critics, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH
Governor Signs Bill that Makes Changes to Education Reform Law, Governor's press release

[Salem] School consolidation complicating budget process, Ban Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
[China, Vassalboro, Winslow] School Union 52 may yet survive consolidation, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
Kittery won't be forced to merge schools, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
Democrats surmount intramural squabbles, Francis X. Quinn, AP
The 123rd Legislature, Editorial, Bangor Daily News

LITCHFIELD School Union 44 losing chief to N.H., Betty Adams, Kennebec Journal

Passage of law allows school consolidations to proceed, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette

Kittery still may lose half of state school aid, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
School budgets face squeeze from cuts, votes, Editorial, Press Herald
Lawmakers had session that was largely effective, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
Senators Wrangle over School Consolidation Vote, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
[Washington] County Delegation Votes Against School Consolidation Law, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
New law is victory for MDI schools, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
So what ultimately happened with school consolidation?, Steve Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
Southwest Harbor selectmen want to explore school merger, Bar Harbor Times
School Consolidation - The good, the bad, and the ugly, Senator Dennis Damon

[View from South Dakota] South Dakota's rural schools grapple with change, The Economist
Falmouth-SAD 51 panel to see cost-savings analysis, Linda Maule, Forecaster
[Portland] Clerk: School budget referendum disenfranchises voters, Randy Billings, Forecaster

Clerks foresee problems in budget balloting, Dieter Bradbury, Press Herald
York school boss: New merger law unclear, Deborah McDermott, Portsmouth Herald
School unions saved, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
[SW Harbor] Selectmen talk local school consolidation, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
Legislative victory initiates more work for schools. Gail Marshall, Brian Hubbell, Paul Murphy, Mount Desert Islander
School reform law viewed as changing little, Edward French, Quoddy Tides

PUBLIC Law, Chapter 668
[School Consolidation is a Political Mess] MEA renews vows to fight for more money and fewer administrators, Chris Galgay, Maine Education Association

School choice must be preserved, Sandra Pyne and Janet Winchester, Bangor Daily News

York schools await word on consolidation opt-out after new law passed, Allie Kinney, York Weekly
Schools continue struggle with law, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
[Palermo, Windsor, Somerville, Chelsea, Whitefield, Wiscasset, Alna, Westport Island] A more perfect union?, Kennebec Journal
[Rumford] Plans for consolidating school districts advance, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
Morrill votes to keep school open, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
[Belfast] SAD 34 braces for new budget process, Tanya Mitchell, waldo.villagesoup.com

[Oakland] Cuts in store at Union 52, Messalonskee Five administrative positions on the block within next few years, according to plan, Joel Elliott, Kennebec Journal
Feds OK use of SAT to measure achievement, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
Schools see savings in online buys, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
Orrington: RSU 15 committee discusses revised law, penalties, Bangor Daily News
Eastport: New Union 104 leader faces budget dilemma, Diana Graettinger, Bangor Daily News
School Consolidation Still Unacceptable, Skip Greenlaw, Ellsworth American
[Kennebunk, Kennbunkport] Candidates vie for school board seats, Laura Dolce, Portsmouth Herald
[View from cape Cod] Harwich And Chatham Agree To Examine School Collaboration, William F. Galvin, Cape Cod Chronicle
[Sullivan] Flanders Bay Hears Again from Ellsworth On Consolidation Partnering, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
Stormy Seas Await School Budget Process, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
School Consolidation Tops Agenda in Hancock Elections, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
[Portland] Public largely quiet about school budget, Kate Bucklin, Forecaster
[Cape Elizabeth] Board members oppose reduced budget increase, Linda Maule, Forecaster
Falmouth-SAD 51 consolidation vote moved to November; expect startup costs of $500,000 per year, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
[View from New York] State Could Save $1 Billion a Year by Consolidating Services, Report Says, Nicholas Confessore, New York Times
Open invitation from the MDI RPC, Brian Hubbell, MDI RPC

Many school districts resuming merger talks, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
Second vote may be charm in school budget approvals, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
Unique situation, Susan A. Gendron, Mount Desert Islander

[Salem] SAD 58 school budget decreases after loss of federal, state funding, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
[Fairfield] SAD 49 jobs to be eliminated, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
Cornville parents watching school budget process closely, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
Liberating the Schoolhouse, Wellford Wilms, truthdig.com

[Bingham] Small-town schools facing student number crunch Alan Crowell, Kennebec Journal
School budget vote 'under the radar', Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
Consolidation Conundrums Continue..., Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
Mount Desert Island community explores "balance education", Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times

Crunch time coming for school merger decisions, Editorial, Press Herald
Learning Results not well-thought out, Jim Perkins, Kennebec Journal
Budget vote more than a ballot, Editorial, Sun Journal
[Lewiston] State aid absorbs spending hike, Scott Taylor, Sun Journal
[Greene, Leeds, Turner] SAD 52 eliminates jobs to meet budget needs, Tony Reaves, Sun Journal
Funding formula the real threat to rural education, Dianne Tilton, Bangor Daily News
Getting Restarted: Resources for RPCs and School Systems Working to Reorganize, Department of Education
[View from Massachusetts (Reprised)] A little history, Barbara Anderson, Boston Globe

[Farmingdale and Hallowell] Hall-Dale budget wins; turnout low, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
Will Maine lose some rural schools?, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
[Anson, North Anson, Solon, Embden, New Portland] SAD 74 budget in hands of voters, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
Winslow school budget ready for June 10 referendum, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
[View from New York] Trim layers of local governments, William A. Johnson, Jr., Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Alternative Organizational Structures, Department of Education
School budgets head to polls, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
School budget baffles Northport, Megan Richardson, Republican Journal

[Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] State allows town school system to stay, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
Double duty for Maine school districts, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
Rare staff cuts on the table in Cape, Emily Devlin, keepmecurrent.com
Wiscasset School Articles Vote Moved to May 17, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News

Portland voters should support school budget, Editorial, Press Herald
[Anson, North Anson, Solon, Embden, New Portland] SAD 74 voters OK budget by wide margin, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
[Livermore Falls] SAD 36 board to discuss returning to one bus run, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
School Budgets Now a Ballot Issue, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
Kennebunk, Kennebunkport voters face two-step school budget vote, Laura Dolce, Portsmouth Herald
York schools freed from consolidation (Wells-Ogunquit gets handed over to Kennebunk, Kennebunkport), Deborah MacDermott, Portsmouth Herald
Ellsworth Reopens Consolidation Talks with Potential Partners, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
Schools in Turmoil, Editorial, Ellsworth American
Commissioner Gendron schedules forums in Brunswick (5/19), Farmington (5/21), Ellsworth (5/22), and Presque Isle (5/27) to meet with Superintendents and RPC members, DoE letter

[Portland] School budget now up to city voters, Kate Bucklin, Forecaster
[Portland] Survey: Voters undecided ahead of school budget vote, Randy Billings, Forecaster
Falmouth voters OK $25M school spending plan; some still oppose consolidation, Linda Maule, Forecaster
Alternative consolidation plan proposed for Freeport-Pownal-Durham, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
[Wells] School district waiver request denied, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
[Biddeford] Scores protest school budget cuts, Molly Lovell, Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Courier
Representative Bruce MacDonald of Boothbay announces candidacy for re-election, Boothbay Register
Who's on first?, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper

Reception chilly at RPC, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander

Open invitation from the MDI RPC, Brian Hubbell, MDI RPC

School planners struggle with ever-moving target, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
[Casco, Naples, Sebago, Bridgton] New process to decide SAD #61 budget, Julia Davis, keepmecurrent.com
[Rumford, Dixfield, Buckfield, Hanover] School system name chosen, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
Camden, Rockport police consolidation talks beached, Holly S. Anderson, Knox County Times
Is school choice being preserved as school districts consolidate? Not really., Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
Getting school plan right is 'one-shot deal', Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times

York schools are rejoicing, Jennifer Kennedy, Portsmouth Herald

Table of proposed RSUs as of 3/28/2008, MDIschools.net (5/11/2008)

Voters to get school budget Tuesday, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
Where are the voters?, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
[Livermore Falls, Livermore, Jay] Students to be bused in one trip, Donna M. Perry
A better school budget, Editorial, Bangor Daily News

MDI RPC | Most recent news | Political history | News archive | Public meetings | Our schools | Legislators | Email discussion list | Contact

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