Gendron Gives Approval to Machias Area School Consolidation Plan
East Machias Selectmen Urge Towns to Vote It Down
By Will Tuell
Downeast Coastal Press, 10/21/2008
Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron gave final approval to a consolidation plan being crafted by 12 Machias-area communities October 15. The plan will likely go to voters in a special municipal referendum December 9.
“Members of my staff and I have completed the review of your [alternative organizational structure (AOS)] plan, and have determined that it is consistent with the policy objectives and parameters set forth in the reorganization law, and [that] it includes all required plan elements and adequate supporting documentation,” wrote Gendron in a letter addressed to Regional Planning Committee (RPC) chairman John Sprague, October 15. “I have determined that your plan is complete and in compliance with the law.”
The Machias-area RPC approved the plan October 9, sending it on to local school committees that same evening for their approval. Union 102 superintendent Scott Porter said in a phone interview October 17 that the plan had been approved by each, and subsequently sent on to the Department of Education (DOE) before the Columbus Day weekend.
“I'd say that's definitely going to happen,” said Porter of a December 9 municipal referendum in each of the 12 towns the plan covers. “There are some towns that have already made arrangements for that to happen. Bucket Davis has been working closely with some of the smaller towns that need a little assistance with that, so he's readily available to help people out.”
In order to have the referendum December 9, town selectmen must approve a warrant putting the issue to voters no later than October 24. Porter noted that many had scheduled special meetings for this week. In having the referendum December 9, officials hope to avoid the Christmas rush. All towns must vote on the plan the same day. Any snags would likely push the vote back until after the New Year. All towns must vote by January 30, 2009, or face a loss of state subsidy to their school systems.
Public hearings will be held in each town during November, although an exact list of dates, places and times wasn't available at press time. Porter suggested a schedule could be published this next week as towns prepare for the balloting.
“The [DOE] was much faster on it than I thought they would be,” said Porter. He added that DOE officials were mindful of the holiday season and accommodated local officials who felt it would be hard to get people to the polls closer to Christmas.
East Machias Selectmen Come Out Against Plan
At their October 15 meeting, East Machias selectmen Kenneth “Bucket” Davis, Dale Richardson and Bob Chase each came out strongly against the consolidation plan, urging local voters to turn it down when they head to the polls.
“This has been the worst nightmare I've ever seen,” said Davis, “and I strongly feel, and hope that the people in East Machias vote no. Once you get in, you can't get out. If you can't make a go of it, you can always join. It's worth the gamble to vote no.”
Chase said that school consolidation is more about money and less about education, and said that he would encourage people to vote against the plan on that basis. “I'd vote no just because I think that Elm Street is trying to do the right thing with the educational program they have,” he said. “They're enhancing it and not watering it down. I don't like it because they're not worried about education. [Governor] Baldacci sees this big pot of money and he wants it to further his own interests, and to hell with the kids.”
The AOS plan will be voted on in Cutler, East Machias, Jonesboro, Lubec, Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Wesley, Whitneyville, and Whiting.