[Local-Maine-Schools] late night report from Augusta

[Brian Hubbell]

Yesterday was quite a day in Augusta -- with some drama that extended
right up until about 1:30 this morning when the House at last passed
the state budget included a substantively amended form of school
consolidation.

While everyone is weary from a long day and late night, I want to
report that, as best we can tell, Mount Desert has landed fairly well.
 The critical points of our regional map and amended language that
allows us the ability to continue to operate our local elementary
schools on the local municipal level without pitting our towns against
each other in intra-island disputes all seem to be satisfactorily
accomplished in the amended language.

The budget with this language now moves to the Senate.

So, while nothing is yet final, I think it is entirely appropriate at
this time to acknowledge that, when it came down to it, our
legislators worked hard and diligently to address the substance of our
communities' concerns about the future of our schools.

Thank you, Hannah, Ted, and Dennis.

Brian Hubbell.