[Local-Maine-Schools] The new bill -- you'll die, and it won't be from laughing...

[Dick Atlee]

The new draft consolidation bill is now out.  As Brian mentioned, you 
can get it at

http://www.maine.gov/legis/ofpr/AFA_School_Consolidation_Draft_5-30-07_5PM.pdf

and if that's bogged down, he's put it up on the MDISchools website at

http://mdischools.net/AFA_School_Consolidation_Draft_5-30-07_5PM.pdf

It's 60 pages long, and if you have the urge to copy/paste sections to 
show your friends, forget it.  It's all graphic -- no copyable text 
(clever way to slow distribution of hard facts).

I haven't had a chance to read it yet, having just got it, but there's a 
summary on pp 59-60 that will give you the flavor, particularly the 
facts that

A. There will be a $36.5 MILLION CUT in General Purpose Aid to Education 
this next year (figure how THAT will get the state to 55% support...)

B. The penalties for any school unit that feels it is doing just fine 
and doesn't need forced consolidation with partners of its choosing 
(with approval from the Commissioner) are as follows (in addition to the 
aforementioned cut in GPA)

1. Loss of minimum subsidy (including the 5% mninimum and the special
    education minimum);
2. Loss of all funds for system administration;
3. A 5% increase in the mill rate required to be raised by that unit;
4. Less favorable consideration in approval and funding for school
    construction; and
5. Loss of eligibility for isolated school adjustments and transition
    adjustments.

It sounds like the Appropriations Committee is interested in voting on 
this tomorrow.

Maybe you'd better get on the phone and call those isolated folks in 
Augusta and let them hear from you, and call all your friends and 
suggest they do the same....

Dick