[Local-Maine-Schools] Legislative Update: March 6

[Dick Atlee]

Thanks for passing on the report on those hard-working folks, Brian.  It 
still boggles me that consolidation is being embraced as a cost-saver 
without any clear examination of if/how it would save money.  It's also 
too bad they are so evenly split on whether to let partners choose 
partners or have them forced down their throats (#1), and so close to 
split on whether to run off the cliff at top speed or to slow down and 
think (#2).

#9 poses a very interesting existential question for MDI.  Do we count 
as an island, or not?  And even if we are, does u98's superior 
cost-effective performance automatically disqualify us from saving 
ourselves from the craziness, which is important given that #8 seems 
intent on beating dissenters to death.

Dick

Brian Hubbell wrote:
> Subject: Legislative update
> Tuesday, March 6
> [Summary from Dick Durost, Maine Principals Association]
> 
> 
> The Joint Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs has met on an
> aggressive schedule since last week. Although state government was shut down
> on Friday the committee continued to meet all day Saturday plus Sunday
> afternoon. I attended the Saturday morning session before leaving for the
> basketball tournament in Bangor and Augusta and also attended the Sunday
> session.
> 
> The committee spent most of Monday taking "straw votes" on the issues that
> they expect to report out to the Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
> Please note that the following positions are not binding and may well be
> revised as the week moves on.
> 
> 1.    Planning alliances: Should they be based on the Governor's proposal of
> CTE Regions or on a basis of choosing your partners? Committee evenly
> split with six in
> favor of each approach.
> 
> 2.    Collaboration and Consolidation: Should they move forward with
> collaboration set for FY 08  and consolidation for FY09 or both accelerated
> for completion in the summer of 08? 7 votes  for the former, 5 votes for
> acceleration.
> 
> 3.    Minimum number of students in new consolidated districts: 6 voting for
> minimum of 2500, 3  voting for 1200, 2 preferring some other number. All
> options would hold the possibility for  some exceptions (see item 9 below).
> 
> 4.    Incentives for consolidation:
>       a.   extra points for construction: 11-0 vote in favor
>       b.   reduction in minimum local mill rate:  9-2 vote in favor
>       c.   money for principal in every school: defeated 11-0 (they see this
> $3.5 million proposed by         the governor as one way to help close the
> budget gap)
>       d.   provide cash as incentives if available:  12-0 in favor
> 
> 5.    Withhold part of FY08 funding as an incentive for collaboration and
> consolidation in the FY09  budget:  no decision yet.
> 
> 6.    Encourage consolidation (4 in favor), mandate consolidation (1 in
> favor), mandate  consolidation talks with local vote to defeat, probably by
> a 2/3 vote   (6 in favor).
> 
> 7.    Set a target of 50 to 80 districts: decided to address this through
> other positions
> 
> 8.    Districts who choose not to participate in the process:
>            Collaboration:   sanctions to be determined,probably financial,
> 12-0 in favor
>            Consolidation:   sanctions to be developed by rule making
> process, major and substantive
> 
> 9.    Exceptions:
>       a.   Possible for island communities, geographically isolated regions,
> indian townships, and        unorganized territories, 11-0 vote in favor
>       c.   Status quo for town academies, 10-0 in favor
>       d.   Exempt cost effective, high performing schools/districts,
> defeated 8-2
> 
> 10.    Filling the gap of $36.5 million in the education budget:
>       a.   Cap special ed money to minimum receivers ($4.5 million), 8-1 in
> favor with 3 abstentions
>       b.   Delay some of the FY08 money until FY09: no decision
>       c.   Make cuts in K-12 through collaboration: tentative approval
>       d.   Establish a "BRAC" like commission to identify state government
> cuts: no decision
> 
> Stay tuned! Work sessions will resume this afternoon.