Local legislators still forming opinions on school consolidation proposals
Local legislators still forming opinions on school consolidation proposals
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
Local legislators have been hearing feedback from the public on Governor John Baldacci’s Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative and are now taking those opinions into account as they watch the proposal make its way through the Maine Legislature.
The Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative proposed to morph the state’s 290 school administrative units into 26 “regional learning communities.”
Scarborough would become part of "Region 24" along with Westbrook, Windham, Gorham, Standish, Buxton, Frye Island, Limington, Hollis and Raymond. Like the other “regional learning communities,” one superintendent and one school board would serve the new district.
The governor’s plan, along with other school restructuring proposals, was the subject of public hearings earlier this month. In addition to the Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative, school consolidation plans have been drawn up by individual legislators, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Municipal Association, the Maine State Board of Education and the Maine Children’s Alliance.
A forum was held in Scarborough last week that invited members of the public to ask questions and give their opinion on school consolidation plans. Local legislators were in attendance to listen to what people had to say on the subject.
Local legislators said they have received a large amount of feedback from the public and are looking forward to what goes before the full Maine Legislature.
Representative John McDonough (R-Scarborough) said he has found that members of the public are concerned “about losing local control of their school system” and “public investment in hard assets that Scarborough citizens have made.”
According to McDonough, there is “no local support for the governor’s proposal in its present form.” He believes that the state should work to reduce the number of school superintendents but does not know “to what level.” He said he does like the idea of consolidating South Portland and Cape Elizabeth with Scarborough if consolidation is needed and is still forming his opinion on the subject.
“I must wait and listen until all the proposals have been made before I take a solid position on this very important matter,” McDonough said. “In the final analysis, I will support what the citizens of Scarborough feel is best for our education system, our students and our town.
Rep. Peggy Pendleton (D-Scarborough) said she believes the constituents she has heard from are “fairly divided” on the idea of school consolidation. She said, “(this issue) has developed into an emotional trigger for many who are understandably concerned about how regionalizing administration will impact our local schools.”
Pendleton said she is not sure what the final proposal will look like, but that her “top priority is to make sure we are finding practical ways to make our schools effective and efficient without compromising quality of education or the sense of community that makes Maine unique.” She said she believes a “more measured approach” should be taken and that there are “more natural groups” than the 26 districts being proposed in the governor’s plan.
Pendleton said members of the public still have a chance to submit their input and she encourages people to do so.
State Senators Lynn Bromley and Phil Bartlett were contacted, but did not comment on any school consolidation proposals.
The Maine Legislatures’ Education and Cultural Affairs Committee has been holding work sessions on school consolidation proposals and will soon make a recommendation to the Appropriations Committee.
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
Local legislators have been hearing feedback from the public on Governor John Baldacci’s Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative and are now taking those opinions into account as they watch the proposal make its way through the Maine Legislature.
The Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative proposed to morph the state’s 290 school administrative units into 26 “regional learning communities.”
Scarborough would become part of "Region 24" along with Westbrook, Windham, Gorham, Standish, Buxton, Frye Island, Limington, Hollis and Raymond. Like the other “regional learning communities,” one superintendent and one school board would serve the new district.
The governor’s plan, along with other school restructuring proposals, was the subject of public hearings earlier this month. In addition to the Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative, school consolidation plans have been drawn up by individual legislators, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Municipal Association, the Maine State Board of Education and the Maine Children’s Alliance.
A forum was held in Scarborough last week that invited members of the public to ask questions and give their opinion on school consolidation plans. Local legislators were in attendance to listen to what people had to say on the subject.
Local legislators said they have received a large amount of feedback from the public and are looking forward to what goes before the full Maine Legislature.
Representative John McDonough (R-Scarborough) said he has found that members of the public are concerned “about losing local control of their school system” and “public investment in hard assets that Scarborough citizens have made.”
According to McDonough, there is “no local support for the governor’s proposal in its present form.” He believes that the state should work to reduce the number of school superintendents but does not know “to what level.” He said he does like the idea of consolidating South Portland and Cape Elizabeth with Scarborough if consolidation is needed and is still forming his opinion on the subject.
“I must wait and listen until all the proposals have been made before I take a solid position on this very important matter,” McDonough said. “In the final analysis, I will support what the citizens of Scarborough feel is best for our education system, our students and our town.
Rep. Peggy Pendleton (D-Scarborough) said she believes the constituents she has heard from are “fairly divided” on the idea of school consolidation. She said, “(this issue) has developed into an emotional trigger for many who are understandably concerned about how regionalizing administration will impact our local schools.”
Pendleton said she is not sure what the final proposal will look like, but that her “top priority is to make sure we are finding practical ways to make our schools effective and efficient without compromising quality of education or the sense of community that makes Maine unique.” She said she believes a “more measured approach” should be taken and that there are “more natural groups” than the 26 districts being proposed in the governor’s plan.
Pendleton said members of the public still have a chance to submit their input and she encourages people to do so.
State Senators Lynn Bromley and Phil Bartlett were contacted, but did not comment on any school consolidation proposals.
The Maine Legislatures’ Education and Cultural Affairs Committee has been holding work sessions on school consolidation proposals and will soon make a recommendation to the Appropriations Committee.
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